. 


m 


GIFT  OF 


STANDARD   BOOK 
OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


COMPILED  BY 

JOSEPH   FRIEDLANDER 

EDITED  BY 
GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY 
1917 


COPYRIGHT,  1917 

BY 
JOHN  FRIEDLANDER 


EDITOR'S  INTRODUCTION 

A  MELANCHOLY  interest  attaches  to  the  pub- 
lication of  this  work.  Its  compiler,  after  de- 
voting many  arduous  years  to  its  preparation, 
had  read  the  last  proofs,  when  death  summoned  him. 
Like  the  prophet  Moses,  who  was  permitted  to  get 
a  glimpse  of  the  Promised  Land  ere  he  was  trans- 
lated to  Eternity,  this  modest,  patient  scholar,  toiling 
with  touching  devotion  and  sublime  unselfishness  in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  was  destined  only  to  vision 
the  rich  vintage  he  had  sown,  but  not  to  taste  of  its 
fruits. 

This  Anthology  will  serve  as  a  fitting  memorial  of 

he  man,  whose  profound  love  for  his  people  was  the 
'zeynote  of  his  life  and  whose  keen  appreciation  of 
Hebrew  melody  make  him  a  worthy  critic  and  his- 

orian   of   the   art   of  Jewish  song. 

It  is  with  pleasure,  not  unmixed  with  some  poig- 
nancy, that  I  recall  the  early  days  of  our  comrade- 
ship, when,  as  incumbents  of  almost  adjacent  pas- 
torates, we  were  privileged,  far  away  from  the  cen- 
tres of  culture  and  learning,  to  discuss  matters  that 
deeply  interested  us  both.  It  was  then  that  I  learned 
how  rich  was  his  mind,  how  mature  his  judgment, 
and  how  ardent  his  faith  in  the  future  of  his  people, 
for  \vhom  he  cherished  such  deep  love  and  devotion. 
Isolated  though  he  was  in  a  small  hamlet,  with  no 


442173 


EDITOR'S    INTRODUCTION 

congenial  spirits  to  bear  him  company,  he  lived  a 
life  full  of  idealism  and  noble  activity,  esteemed  by 
Jew  and  Gentile  alike;  cherished  and  revered  no  less 
for  his  lofty  character  than  for  his  charity  and  sweet 
human  nature.  Though  a  staunch  and  uncompromis- 
ing Jew,  he  did  not  exclude  from  the  fellowship  of 
his  heart  men  of  all  creeds,  and  among  -the  host  of 
those  who  mourn  for  him  today,  will  be  found  many 
men,  not  of  his  own  faith,  who  beheld  in  him  an 
"Israelite  without  guile."  It  may  be  truly  said  of 
him  that  he  was  a  man  of  Godr  possessed  of  rare 
simplicity  and  a  spiritual  passion  which  more  than 
once  sapped  the  well-springs  of  his  vitality  and  hur- 
ried him  to  an  untimely  grave. 

Joseph  Friedlander  was  born  in  1859,  at  Edin- 
burgh, Scotland.  He  received  his  early  education  at 
New  Castle  on  Tyne  and  at  Middlesborough,  graduat- 
ing from  Jews'  College,  London,  England.  His  first 
charge  was  at  Victoria,  Australia.  Returning  to  Eng- 
land, he  became  minister  of  the  North  West  London 
Synagogue.  For  four  years  he  served  as  Secretary  to 
the  Chief  Rabbi  of  the  British  Empire  and  likewise  as 
Secretary  to  the  English  Zionist  Federation.  He  came 
to  America  in  1895,  and  for  ten  years  occupied  the 
Rabbinate  of  Congregation  Emanu-El,  at  Beaumont) 
Texas.  He  also  held  pastorates  at  Waco,  Texas; 
Ontario,  Hamilton  (Canada)  ;  Greensborough,  N.  C. ; 
Orange  and  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  where  he  died,  after 
a  brief  illness,  induced  by  overwork,  incident  to  the 
preparation  of  this  Anthology.  He  was  a  frequent 
contributor  to  the  religious  and  secular  press  of  Eng- 
land and  America,  and,  judging  from  his  single  ven- 
ture in  Jewish  journalism,  he  was  particularly  well 

vi 


EDITOR'S    INTRODUCTION 

qualified  for  literary  work.  Had  he  lived,  he  would 
undoubtedly  have  produced  several  books  of  lasting 
merit.  From  May,  1906,  to  September,  1907,  during 
his  incumbency  at  Waco,  Texas,  he  issued  a  periodical 
which  he  entitled  The  Jeivish  Hope.  It  was  pub- 
lished, at  San  Antonio,  first  as  a  monthly,  then  as 
a  bi-monthly,  and  the  twelve  numbers  it  comprises 
give  ample  evidence  of  his  intellectual  fertility,  poise, 
discrimination  and  scholarship.  Only  one  complete 
file  of  this  paper  has  been  preserved.  It  is  now  a 
part  of  the  Jewish  collection  at  the  New  York  Pub- 
lic Library. 

This  journal  was  his  organ  and  oracle.  Into  it  he 
poured  all  the  wealth  of  his  rich  mind,  and  those 
who  read  its  pages  with  discerning  eyes  may  almost 
feel  the  beating  of  his  heart.  The  earnestness  and 
fervency  of  his  appeals;  the  integrity  of  his  convic- 
tions; the  candor  with  which  he  met  squarely  every 
issue  and  problem  which  agitated  American  Jewry; 
his  unflinching  courage  and  uncompromising  loyalty, 
are  all  elements  which  make  the  newspaper  he  cre- 
ated a  distinctive  human  document,  to  which  lovers 
of  Zion  will  yet  have  to  go  for  counsel  and  inspira- 
tion. 

Being  himself  a  man  of  exceptional  poetic  gifts, 
he  had  a  fine  appreciation  of  poetic  values.  Already 
in  the  "old  Texas  days,"  when  we  discussed  books 
and  bookmen,  and  occasionally  scanned  together  a 
fine  hymn  of  some  mediaeval  Hebrew  bard,  he  was 
full  of  enthusiasm  over  the  plan  of  bringing  together, 
in  a  compact  and  convenient  form,  poems  that  were 
the  most  typical  of  the  varying  moods  of  Jewish  gen- 
ius. The  present  collection,  therefore,  may  be  said 

vii 


EDITOR'S    INTRODUCTION 

to  actually  represent  the  concentrated  thought  of 
twenty  years.  A  few  weeks  before  his  death,  my 
lamented  friend  did  me  the  honor  of  consulting  me, 
at  frequent  intervals,  regarding  the  plan  and  scope 
of  the  work,  and  while  we  did  not  agree  on  certain 
basic  principles  and  some  essential  details,  he  was  so 
modest  and  self-effacing,  and  deferred  so  gently  and 
genially  to  the  advice  of  others,  that,  in  the  end,  his 
own  view  was  subordinated,  and  what  he  accepted  as 
superior  judgment  prevailed.  In  this,  as  in  all  his 
dealings  with  his  fellow  men,  his  sweet  docility,  amia- 
bility and  chivalrous  courtesy  were  the  attributes  which 
gave  strength  and  power  to  his  character  and  served 
to  endear  him  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 

Although  the  title,  "The  Standard  Book  of  Jewish 
Verse,"  seems  to  imply  that  it  is  a  collection  which 
comprises  poems  of  recognized  merit  that  bear  the 
stamp  of  general  approval,  it  must  be  understood  that, 
in  no  sense,  has  it  been  placed  before  a  literary  tribu- 
nal and  that  its  value  is  yet  to  be  appraised.  The  com- 
piler was  a  man  of  catholic  sympathies.  He  included 
in  this  Anthology  almost  every  phase  of  the  Jewish 
spirit.  If  by  dint  of  rare  diligence,  acute  discrimina- 
tion, and  by  all  the  subtle  processes  of  racial  sym- 
pathy he  has  succeeded  in  producing  a  work  which 
will  be  acclaimed  as  a  classic,  so  that  this  volume  may 
take  a  notable  place  among  other  similar  collections, 
his  arduous  and  devoted  labor  will  yield  rich  recom- 
pense. 

The  compiler's  untimely  death,  before  the  final  revi- 
sion of  the  book  had  been  completed,  necessitated  a 
careful  re-reading  of  the  entire  text.  With  the  aid 
of  another  mutual  friend,  who  prefers  to  remain 


EDITOR'S    INTRODUCTION 

nameless,  this  irksome  and  difficult  task  has  been  ade- 
quately accomplished.  While  it  has  not  been  possi- 
ble, for  obvious  reasons,  to  verify,  line  by  line,  the 
accuracy  of  numerous  fugitive  pieces,  by  minor  poets 
— scattered  as  they  are  in  periodicals  not  readily  ac- 
cessible— it  may  safely  be  assumed  that  no  errors  of 
any  consequence  remain.  The  poems  of  classical  au- 
thors have  been  scrupulously  collated  with,  the  edi- 
tions generally  accepted  as  definitive  and  standard. 

The  Introduction  was  pieced  together  from  frag- 
ments of  manuscript  left  by  the  author,  and  particular 
care  has  been  taken  to  reproduce  as  much  of  the 
original  phrasing  as  possible  and  to  round  out  some 
paragraphs,  here  and  there,  in  the  same  spirit  in  which 
they  were  conceived. 

The  Editor  has  also  added  a  comprehensive  Index, 
which  will  facilitate  reference,  and  desires  distinctly 
to  state  that  he  holds  himself  responsible  only  for 
this  feature  of  the  work,  as  well  as  the  revision  of  the 
compiler's  Introduction,  but  in  no  wise  for  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  material,  and  the  general  charac- 
ter of  the  contents. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 
NEW  YORK,  August  i,  1917. 


IX 


INTRODUCTION 

JEWISH    poetry   has   its  own   place   in   the   Song- 
History  of  the  world.     Dryden  has  significantly 
summarized  the  great  poets  of  their  representa- 
tive countries: 

"Three  poets — three  distinct  ages  born — 
Greece,  Italy  and  England  did  adorn. 
The  first  in  loftiness  of  thought  surpassed ; 
The  next  in  majesty;  in  both  the  last. 
The  force  of  nature  could  no  further  go. 
To  make  a  third,  she  join'd  the  former  two." 

But  he  said  nothing  of  Hebrew  poetry.  Probably 
he  had  in  mind  that  the  sacred  poetry  of  the  Jews 
stood  on  a  plane  of  its  own — unapproachable,  lofty, 
sublime — the  poetry  that  lifted  up  to  infinite  heights 
of  subliminal  consciousness  the  peoples  who  absorbed 
it.  It  was  the  poetry  whose  marked  influence  on  the 
destinies  of  the  higher  races  of  mankind  moulded  in  no 
small  degree  the  civilization  we  enjoy.  Indeed,  it 
might  be  said  that  it  has  revolutionized  its  intellectual 
and  spiritual  conceptions. 

Certainly  there  is  a  marked  difference  between 
Greek  and  Jewish  poetry.  Let  us  understand  by  the 
former  an  inclusive  term,  embracing  all  profane  and 
secular  poetry  of  other  lands  and  ages — Russian, 
Persian,  Italian,  German,  English,  Celtic,  Spanish — 
for,  in  the  last  analysis,  all  poetry  of  whatever  kind, 
lyrical,  epical  and  dramatic,  must  be  finally  traced  to 
the  Greeks.  Their  culture  and  development  conduced 
to  the  free  practice  of  every  kind  of  poetic  art.  Both 
in  form  and  spirit,  all  later  poetry  was  derived  from 

xi 


INTRODUCTION 

the  Attic  poets,  and,  to  this  day,  our  best  singers  go 
to  them  for  inspiration  and  for  imitation.  Being 
themselves  possessed  of  a  deathless  afflatus,  of  a  divine 
form  or  a  divine  mould  of  beauty,  their  poetry, 
whether  dramatic  or  lyrical,  remains  the  source  from 
which  all  nations  have  drunk. 

In  no  less  universal  degree  has  Hebrew  poetry  fash- 
ioned the  modern  soul  to  its  finely-tempered  edge.  It 
was  essentially  religious,  flowing  from  an  intense  racial 
consciousness  and  developing  to  an  exalted  spiritual 
mood,  under  stress  of  mingled  storm  and  sunshine  of 
national  fortune.  It  was  dominated  by  the  personal 
*  emotional  note.  The  soul  of  the  singer  was  linked 
in  all  its  moods  to  the  relationship  it  bore  to  God. 
The  overshadowing  presence  of  the  Almighty  in  all 
its  varied  and  infinite  manifestations  was  an  ever  con- 
stant influence. 

In  the  Psalms,  Israel  sang  his  hymn  of  spiritual 
love  to  God.  They  were  the  outpourings  of  his  daily 
experience.  The  consciousness  of  God  in  all  his 
thoughts  and  actions ,  was  the  mainspring  of  all  his 
personal  emotions.  If  he  circumvented  an  enemy,  or 
defeated  him  by  the  prowess  of  his  arms,  the  victory 
was  attributed  to  Elohim,  to  Jehovah,  the  special 
guardian  of  Israel.  If  he  enjoyed  prosperity  and 
lived  at  ease  under  his  fig  and  vine  tree,  it  was  as- 
cribed to  God.  Whatever  happiness  came  to  him  was 
vouchsafed  by  his  Adonai,  Who  had  the  power  and 
will  to  bring  to  him  either  joy  or  sorrow,  fortune 
or  adversity,  life  or  death.  He  acknowledged  that  in 
all  His  dealings,  God  was  just  and  merciful,  Who 
ordered  all  things  for  the  best.  And  the  Jew  clung 
to  his  God  with  every  fibre  of  his  being;  loved  Him 
with  all  his  strength,  with  all  his  heart  and  with  all 
his  mind. 

These  two  species  of  poetic  art  dominated  the  world. 
Yet,  although  each  had  its  own  distinctive  charm  and 
greatness,  some  affinity  can  be  traced  between  them. 
The  deathless  dramas  of  the  Greek  poets  were  per- 

xii 


INTRODUCTION 

meated  by  a  spiritual  emotion.  In  Job,  as  in  the 
Greek  tragedies,  especially  by  Euripides,  there  is  a 
common  meeting  ground  for  the  Jew  and  the  Greek. 
As  Achad  Ha-am  points  out,  in  his  essay  on  "Job  and 
Prometheus,"  there  is  in  every  people  something  which 
transcends  individual  culture,  and,  while  a  national 
soul  underlies  its  characteristics,  in  each  one,  human 
nature  is  common  to  all.  The  operation  of  physical 
and  natural  laws  produces  like  results.  In  the  Jew, 
however,  the  moral  spirit  was  supreme,  while,  in 
the  Greek,  the  passion  for  beauty  was  the  governing 
impulse.  The  Hebrew  spirit  was  a  spirit  of  hope  and 
faith ;  the  Greek  was  one  of  blind  fatalism  and  un- 
relieved pessimism  where  the  future  was  concerned. 
What  the  gods  willed  was  to  be  accepted  with  forti- 
tude and  resignation.  In  the  Hebrew  scheme  of 
things,  prayer,  repentance  and  good  conduct  could 
avert  the  evil  decree. 

In  the  poetry  of  the  Hebrews — and  that  is  its  dis- 
tinctive note — there  is  an  abiding  and  keen  conscious- 
ness of  its  relationship  to  a  personal  God.  In  Greek 
poetry,  it  is  a  blind,  inexorable  destiny  that  rules, 
against  which  man  and  all  his  efforts  are  vain. 

It  will  be  easy  to  see  why  the  genius  of  Hebrew 
poetry,  as  exemplified  in  the  Psalter,  should  have  im- 
measurably surpassed  the  Greek  poetry  as  an  influence 
on  character.  Human  nature  has  always  inclined  to 
rest  its  hopes  on  a  just  Providence,  on  a  Mightier 
Power  than  itself,  Who,  if  He  does  not  change  the 
immutable  laws  of  the  world,  yet  rules  it  with  in- 
telligence and  benevolent  wisdom.  Greek  and  Jew- 
ish poetry,  the  one  by  virtue  of  its  classic  grace  .of 
form,  and  the  other  by  virtue  of  its  abiding  spiritual 
charm,  constitute  the  two  great  divisions  in  which 
the  art  of  song  is  resolved.  All  other  subordinate 
schools  of  poetry  are  directly  traceable  to  one  or  an- 
other of  these  primary  sources.  Greek  and  Jewish 
poetry  constitute  in  their  circumference  the  em- 
bracing and  all-sufficient  needs  of  the  world  for  at- 

xiii 


INTRODUCTION 

tuning  to  the  human  harp  the  immortal  themes  of  the 
soul. 

Jewish  poetry  was  strongly  imbued  with  its  national 
spirit.  This  is  always  its  underlying  motif.  The 
Jewish  bard  sang  of  God  and  His  wonderful  Provi- 
dence. He  sang,  too,  of  his  hopes  and  aspirations  in 
the  future — a  future  which,  however  dark  in  the  pres- 
ent, had  always  a  bright  silver  lining.  He  sang  of  a 
restored  nationality,  of  a  spiritual  kingdom,  of  a  reign 
of  righteousness,  of  a  reconciled  world,  where  all  the 
children  of  men,  however  diverse  their  beliefs  and 
ideals,  would  at  last  unite  with  Israel  in  the  worship 
of  one  Supreme  and  Holy  God. 

This  is  still  the  dominant  note  of  all  Jewish  poetry. 
It  is  varied  here  and  there  by  a  bitter  cry  of  despair 
and  suffering,  by  an  appeal  for  heavenly  vengeance 
against  the  enemies  of  Israel,  against  those  who 
crushed  Judah  in  the  thraldom  of  oppression.  The 
main  themes  are  the  hope  of  the  rehabilitation  of  the 
nation's  ancient  glory  and  the  immortalizing  of  the 
great  heroes  of  the  race,  with  the  recital  of  their 
achievements  and  martyrdoms. 

That  the  Jewish  race,  through  exile  and  persecu- 
tion, has  not  lost  its  national  heritage  of  song  is  amply 
proved  in  these  pages.  The  Ghetto  was  not  a  favor- 
able nursing -ground  for  the  Muses,  and  the  narrow, 
confined  life  there  was  all  but  fatal  to  the  cultivation 
and  development  of  the  poetic  temperament.  Only  in 
times  of  great  stress  and  suffering  did  the  strong 
natural  impulse  of  the  soul  for  expression  yield  to  its 
overwhelming  need  and  desire.  There  were  two  main 
streams  of  poetic  activity  in  the  Jews  of  post-exilic 
times.  The  first  was  an  ardent  feeling  to  glorify 
God  in  song,  which  contributed  so  largely  to  the  en- 
richment of  the  ritual.  The  Piyutim  (hymnology) 
were  the  principal  media  through  which  this  feeling 
found  utterance.  Very  little  of  this  rich  psalmody 
of  Israel  has  found  its  way  to  the  ear  of  the  world. 
Yet,  in  beauty  and  majesty  of  thought,  as  in  fanciful 

xiv 


INTRODUCTION 

and  sublime  diction,  few  productions  of  the  religious 
poetry  of  the  world  can  compare  with  these  match- 
less outpourings  of  the  soul.  They  reach  to  the 
highest  planes  of  spiritual  thought  and  seraphic  fire. 
It  will  be  worth  while  to  study  the  religious  poems 
in  the  section  of  this  book  entitled  "Liturgical  and 
Mediaeval  Period,"  to  estimate  the  wealth  of  Jewish 
hymnology  it  contains.  Solomon  ibn  Gabirol,  Jehu- 
dah  Halevi,  the  Ibn  Ezras,  Israel  Nagara  and  many 
more,  were  masters  of  this  art,  and  their  contributions 
constitute  a  mine  of  richest  ore,  not  merely  for  the 
synagogue  service,  but  for  the  spiritual  elevation  of 
Israel.  No  other  factor  in  the  life  of  this  much-tried 
nation  has  so  helped  it  to  bear  its  burdens  as  the 
consolation  afforded  by  these  glorious  hymns.  It  gave 
the  Jew  the  courage  and  strength  to  undergo  the 
long  series  of  cruel  martyrdoms  which  he  endured 
through  the  Middle  Ages.  His  sublime  faith  and 
his  kinship  with  God  were  nourished  on  these  Piyutim. 

It  is  only  within  recent  years  that  these  liturgical 
poems  have  been  made  accessible  to  the  English  read- 
ing public,  chiefly  through  a  band  of  able  and  schol- 
arly interpreters,  whose  poetic  grace  of  style  is  not 
by  any  means  inferior  to  their  thorough  knowledge 
and  insight  into  the  spirit  of  the  composers.  In  par- 
ticular, the  translations  of  Alice  Lucas,  Mrs.  Red- 
cliffe  Salomon  (Nina  Davis),  Israel  Zangwill,  Israel 
Abrahams,  Solomon  Solis  Cohen  and  Israel  Cohen  are 
splendid  renditions  of  the  originals. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  contrast  the  striking 
difference  between  the  manner  in  which  the  Jews  of 
the  Middle  Ages  met  their  fate  and  that  in  which  the 
Jewish  poets  of  our  own  times  regarded  the  pogroms 
and  persecutions  in  these  latter  days.  Our  fore- 
fathers were  evidently  of  much  more  heroic  mould. 
They  sang  their  hymns  of  glory  to  God,  as  they 
mounted  their  funeral  pyres,  and  expired  with  the 
ancient  confession  of  the  Unity  upon  their  lips.  They 
were  animated  by  a  sublime  self-surrender  to  the  will 

xv 


INTRODUCTION 

of  God;  a  complete  faith  in  His  overshadowing  Provi- 
dence and  in  the  ultimate  adjustment  of  the  apparent 
inequalities  of  reward  and  punishment,  of  unmerited 
suffering  and  undeserved  prosperity  and  enjoyment. 

In  the  series  of  poems  in  the  Mediaeval  Section 
are  to  be  found  some  of  the  most  moving  and  tragic 
hymns  in  the  whole  range  of  human  history.  Es- 
pecially is  this  the  case  in  the  Section  headed  "In 
the  Crusades."  In  the  lurid  glare  they  cast  upon  the 
grim,  dark  horrors  which  the  Jewish  communities 
passed  through  in  that  age  of  ruthless  fanaticism, 
there  shines  forth,  in  strong  contrast,  an  unfaltering 
spirit  of  loyalty  and  devotion  to  faith,  which  caused 
them  to  welcome  the  most  excruciating  deaths  with 
singular  heroism.  It  was  a  triumph  of  sublime  cour- 
age over  the  fears  of  bodily  pain  and  suffering.  God 
had  decreed  that  the  crown  of  martyrdom  should  be 
bestowed  upon  His  chosen  ones,  and  they  submitted 
almost  joyfully  to  the  ordeal,  voicing  their  invincible 
fealty  in  plaintive  and  heart-stirring  song. 

How  different  was  the  spirit  in  which  modern 
poets^ EiotrT  Hebrew  and  secular,  apostrophised  the 
Russian  pogroms!  These  latter  upbraid  God  for  per- 
mitting their  enemies  to  massacre  the  Jews.  They 
draw  realistic  pictures  of  the  unspeakable  outrages 
they  endured,  including  all  the  hideous  details,  with- 
out that  artistic  touch  with  which  the  Greek  drama- 
tists and  the  Hebrew  poets  of  old  depicted  tragedy. 
The  difference  is  that  of  a  soul  still  firmly  anchored 
and  clinging  to  its  Maker  and  one  overpowered  by  a 
crushing  sense  of  dark  despair  and  death,  for  whom 
there  is  no  gleam  of  a  brighter  existence  beyond  the 
eternal  stars. 

That  oppression  and  persecution  were  the  prime 
causes  why  the  Jewish  muse  did  not  flourish  is  suf- 
ciently  evident  from  the  fact  that,  when  this  condi- 
tion disappeared,  even  for  a  brief  interval,  it  was 
immediately  followed  by  a  renaissance  of  surpassing 
poetic  activity.  When,  under  the  Arabs,  Spain  en- 

xvi 


INTRODUCTION 

joyed  for  a  few  centuries  comparative  peace  and  tran- 
quillity, and  inaugurated  a  new  era  of  science  and 
learning,  the  Jews  of  the  country  rivalled  the  scholars, 
poets  and  philosophers  in  their  contributions  in  that 
field.  From  the  twelfth  to  the  fifteenth  centuries 
a  galaxy  of  brilliant  poets  and  writers  appeared,  than 
whom  no  greater  have  yet  been  seen.  Their  works, 
for  the  most  part  written  in  Hebrew  and  Arabic, 
have  not  yet  been  fully  revealed  to  the  world. 

In  the  Sections  of  this  book  entitled  "The  Medi- 
eval Period,"  "The  Jewish  Year,"  and  "Liturgical 
Poems,"  will  be  found  a  sufficient  number  of  trans- 
lations to  convey  some  idea  of  the  extent  and  variety 
of  their  poetic  horoscope.  They  do  not  merely  vie 
with  Klopstock  and  Milton  and  other  religious  poets, 
but  far  surpass  them  in  sublimity  of  thought,  in  range 
of  philosophic  intuition  and  in  elevation  of  moral  tone. 
Especially  rich  in  these  qualities  are  the  liturgical 
poems  embodied  in  the  ritual.  The  religious  psalmo- 
dy of  these  writers  is  wonderfully  touching  and  in- 
spiring. We  get  from  them  something  more  than 
a  glimpse  of  the  inward  nobility  of  their  hearts,  the 
purity  of  their  souls  and  the  godliness  of  their  lives. 
In  these  impassioned  synagogue  melodies  Israel  sang 
his  anthem  of  spiritual  love  to  God. 

Poetry  may  be  said  at  least  to  have  been  the  ground 
on  which  Jew  and  Gentile  could  make  their  common 
humanity  felt,  and  it  is  not  the  least  satisfaction  to 
the  compiler  of  this  Anthology  that  here  they  stand 
side  by  side  in  a  great  cause,  with  one  aim  before 
them  and  united  in  its  performance  as  never  before. 
The  history  of  Jewish  Emancipation  and  the  gradual 
dispulsion  of  prejudice  and  injustice  may  very  well  be 
traced  through  Byron  and  Lessing  and  Browning  and 
Swinburne  and  many  others,  to  these  days  of  liberty 
and  enlightenment,  blazing  the  onward  march  of  civili- 
zation through  centuries  of  dark  superstition  and  in- 
tolerance, teaching  lessons  of  the  highest  import  to  the 
world  of  true  brotherhood,  wise  reconciliation  of  dif- 

xvii 


INTRODUCTION 

ferent  beliefs  and  a  higher  philosophy  of  life  and  con- 
duct. 

In  these,  most  conspicuous  are  the  poems  of  non- 
Jewish  poets,  who  have  eagerly  employed  their  gifts 
to  crush  down  prejudice  and  oppression.  Byron  and 
Lessing  were  the  first  in  this  army  of  equally  dis- 
tinguished sons  of  the  Muse:  Longfellow,  Browning, 
Joaquin  Miller,  Wordsworth,  Townsend  and  many 
others.  The  most  eloquent  diatribes  on  the  Dreyfus 
Case  were  written  by  Swinburne,  and  the  Russian 
pogroms  called  forth  a  great  number  of  stirring  poems 
by  Christian  writers. 

A  new  era  was  ushered  in  when  the  flamboyant 
genius  of  Byron  burst  upon  the  world,  under  the  im- 
pulse of  a  strong  devotion  to  the  cause  of  liberty, 
ardent  love  for  the  ancient  glory  of  Greece  and  a 
growing  sympathy  with  all  oppressed  and  weak  na- 
tionalities. Byron  conceived  a  generous  emotion  for 
the  downtrodden  Hebrew  race.  The  grandeur  of 
their  ancient  tradition  and  the  dark  tragedy  of  their 
history  in  the  Middle  Ages,  their  outlawry  from  the 
world,  powerfully  appealed  to  him,  and  he  gave  ex- 
pression to  his  sympathies  in  a  series  of  strikingly 
beautiful  poems.  His  "Hebrew  Melodies"  stand  out 
as  the  most  efflorescent  of  his  minor  poems.  They 
are  instinct  with  a  wonderful  understanding  of  the 
Hebrew  spirit.  No  one  else  has  interpreted  the  soul 
of  the  ancient  Hebrew  so  truly  as  when  he  pictured 
him  overwhelmed  in  the  final  catastrophe  that  over- 
took him  when  the  Temple — the  symbol  of  his  na- 
tionality and  the  visible  embodiment  of  his  eternal 
faith — went  up  in  flames  to  the  sky  at  the  hands  of 
the  Romans.  To  the  patriotic  Hebrew,  that  was  an 
evidence  that  all  for  him  was  lost,  that  God  had 
withdrawn  his  protection  and  favor  from  his  people, 
and  that  henceforth  the  hand  of  Destiny  would  lay 
heavily  upon  them. 

The  Jews  of  modern  times  have  never  done  justice 
to  the  great  service  rendered  them  by  Byron,  and  it 

xviii 


INTRODUCTION 

would  only  be  fitting  that  a  monument  be  raised  in 
England  to  that  great  poet,  commemorating  his  glori- 
ous aid  in  vindicating  for  the  Jews  their  rightful 
place  among  the  nations  of  the  world.  So,  too,  Les- 
sing,  in  his  drama  "Nathan  the  Wise,"  and  through 
his  friendship  with  Moses  Mendelssohn,  brought 
about  a  powerful  reaction  in  favor  of  the  Jew.  To 
these  two  gifted  men,  must  be  attributed  the  impetus 
that  was  given  to  both  Jewish  and  non- Jewish  poets 
to  find  in  the  Jew  a  fit  subject  for  poetical  illustra- 
tion. Most  of  the  distinguished  poets  of  the  past  and 
present  generation  have  added  to  the  rich  store  of 
poetic  lore  some  sterling  work  of  Jewish  interest. 
These  comprise  our  greatest  poets,  among  them 
Wordsworth,  Browning,  Scott,  Longfellow,  Tenny- 
son, Swinburne,  George  Eliot,  Thomas  Bailey  Aldrich 
and  others  too  numerous  to  mention,  but  who  should 
be  remembered  with  honor  and  gratitude. 

The  Jews  themselves,  to  whom  poetry  had  almost 
become  a  forgotten  art,  awakened  again  to  the  fact 
that  the  strains  of  the  harp  of  Judah  still  lingered 
in  their  souls.  Some  sang  in  Hebrew,  like  Luzzatto, 
Wessely,  Salom  Cohen,  David  Franco  and  a  host  of 
minor  poets.  All  were  outranked  by  Heinrich  Heine, 
whom  it  would  be  superfluous  to  describe  as  one  of 
the  immortals  in  the  Valhalla  of  Song.  His  "Je- 
huda  ben  Halevi"  and  "Prinzessin  Sabbat"  are  but  a 
few  examples  of  his  quaint,  delicate  and  inimitable 
art.  They  are  limned  in  eternal  colors,  like  one  of 
the  great  dramas  of  Shakespeare  or  Euripides,  and, 
like  ancient  Grecian  sculpture,  they  are  things  of 
beauty  and  a  joy  forever. 

Without  taking  the  form  of  an  historical  survey, 
these  poems  easily  portray,  if  not  exactly  in  chrono- 
logical order,  at  least  in  panoramic  sequence,  the  most 
striking  events  in  Jewish  history.  They  set  forth  the 
character  of  the  nation's  achievements,  its  heroes,  its 
prophets,  kings  and  statesmen  and,  above  all,  the  eter- 
nal ideals  of  the  race,  the  unquenchable  fire  of  its 

xix 


INTRODUCTION 

faith,  which  has  burned  on,  not  fitfully,  but  steadily 
and  grandly  through  all  the  dark  and  moving  cen- 
turies. 

Although  here  and  there  a  false  quantity  may  be 
detected  and  imperfect  technique  may  be  apparent,  yet 
the  poems  on  the  whole  are  surprisingly  good.  It 
would  be  unfair  to  compare  them,  in  idiomatic  dic- 
tion and  graceful  execution,  with  poetry  which  flour- 
ished in  a  national  atmosphere — the  outcome  of  con- 
ditions altogether  favorable  for  the  production  of 
genuine  lyrics.  Many  of  them,  however,  are  possessed 
of  the  highest  poetic  qualities  and  are  instinct  with 
rare  spiritual  fervor.  Jessie  E.  Sampter's  poem  on 
"Anemones"  is  a  fine  example  of  a  true  lyric,  which 
can  vie  with  the  best;  and  scattered  through  these 
pages  are  many  which  will  delight  the  reader  with 
their  exquisite  and  perfect  phrasing.  A  number  of 
these  modern  writers,  too,  are  either  alien  born  or 
the  offspring  of  foreign  parents.  They  acquired  a 
wonderful  mastery  of  the  niceties  and  intricacies  of 
what  is  comparatively  a  new  language.  Poetry  of  a 
decidedly  high  order  may  be  ascribed  to  many  of 
the  selections  included  from  the  pen  of  George  A. 
Kohut,  Joseph  Leiser,  Alter  Abelson,  Harry  Weiss, 
Miriam  del  Banco,  Penina  Moi'se,  Rebecca  Altman 
and  numerous  others.  Of  those  who  have  not  writ- 
ten in  the  vernacular,  but  either  in  Hebrew  or  Yid- 
dish, translations  of  which  will  be  found  in  this  vol- 
ume, may  be  mentioned  Byalik,  Frug,  Morris  Rosen- 
feld,  "Jehoash"  and  Raskin. 

Many  of  the  poems  are  notable  for  the  beautiful 
thoughts  and  sentiments  they  enshrine;  fragrant  and 
delicate  flowers  of  the  spirit,  enriching  the  intellectual 
heritage  of  humanity. 

If  this  Anthology  serves  no  other  purpose  than  to 
impress  the  reader,  both  Jew  and  Gentile,  with  the 
consciousness  of  the  age-long  idealism  of  the  race, 
from  whose  loins  sprang  that  sweet  singer  of  Israel 
whose  Psalmody  is  still  the  greatest  spiritual  inheritance 

xx 


INTRODUCTION 

of  humanity,  it  will  not  have  been  compiled  in  vain. 
May  it  be  the  will  of  Providence  that  our  brethren 
of  the  faith  of  Israel,  who  have  so  miraculously  sur- 
vived persecution  and  martyrdom  through  the  cen- 
turies, be  at  last  admitted  into  the  fellowship  of  na- 
tions, with  their  national  glory  restored  and 
rehabilitated,  and  Palestine,  the  land  of  their  fathers, 
once  again  established  as  the  cultural  centre  whence 
all  moral  and  spiritual  forces  are  to  emanate  which 
will  enrich  and  ennoble  the  world. 

JOSEPH  FRIEDLANDER 

(Edited  by  G.  A.  Kohut) 

(June  25,  1917.) 


xxi 


ACKNOWLEDGMEN  TS 

MY    indebtedness    extends    to    a    long    range    of 
sources  and  authorities,  which  are  in  the  main 
responsible  for  any  merit  this  book  may  pos- 
sess.    To    the    following    publishers,    periodicals    and 
newspapers,    my    acknowledgments    are    preeminently 
due: 

The  Macmillan  Company,  New  York. 

William    Heineman,    London,    England. 

George  Routledge  &  Sons,  London,  England. 

John  Lane  &  Company,  New  York  City. 

Funk  &  Wagnalls  Company,  New  York. 

Houghton   Mifflin  Company,  Boston. 

The  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America. 

Dr.  Israel  Abrahams,  Cambridge,  England. 

Mrs.  Alice  Lucas,   London,  England. 

Mrs.  Redcliffe  Salaman  (Nina  Davis),  London, 
England. 

Mr.  Israel  Zangwill,  London,  England. 

Jewish  Religious  Educational  Board,  London,  Eng-' 
land. 

Jewish    Chronicle,   London,    England. 

The  Reform  Advocate,  Chicago,   111. 

The  American  Israelite,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

The  Jewish  Exponent,  Philadelphia,  Pa* 

The  Jewish   Comment,  Baltimore,    Md. 

The  American  Hebrew,  New  York. 

The  Hebrew  Standard,   New  York. 

The  Maccabcean,  New  York. 

The  Menorah  Monthly,   New  York. 

The  Ark,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

xxiii 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

I  am  also  indebted  to  a  number  of  periodicals  and 
newspapers  for  poems — notably  The  Jewish  Quar- 
terly Review,  The  Menorah  Monthly  (formerly  the 
official  organ  of  the  B'nai  Berith),  The  Jewish  Hope, 
The  Jewish  Messenger,  and  various  scattered,  short- 
lived, fugitive  periodicals. 

Various  other  Anthologies  have  also  greatly  helped 
me  in  my  work — more  particularly  the  excellent  and 
exhaustive  Plebrew  Anthology  of  my  friend,  Dr. 
George  Alexander  Kohut,  who  has  also  permitted  the 
use  of  a  number  of  poems  from  his  own  pen,  printed 
in  an  edition  only  privately  circulated. 

The  indulgence  of  both  publishers  and  authors  is 
asked,  if  due  acknowledgment  is  not  herein  made  for 
the  use  of  any  copyright  material  which  may  be  in- 
cluded in  these  pages. 


[Owing  to  the  untimely  death  of  the  compiler,  it  has 
not  been  possible  to  ascertain  whether  the  above  list 
of  Acknowledgments  is  complete.  As  Dr.  Fried- 
lander  was  most  scrupulous  in  his  relations  with  others, 
it  is  safe  to  assume  that  he  has  not  failed  to  record' his 
indebtedness,  so  far  as  it  lay  in  his  power.} 

• 


. 


XXIV 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EDITOR'S  INTRODUCTION   v 

INTRODUCTION xi 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS    xxiii 


I.     BIBLICAL  AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

THE  BIBLE — Anonymous  i 

THE  BIBLE — Richard  Barton i 

THE  BIBLE — David  Levi  i 

THE  LIGHT  AND  GLORY  OF  THE  WORLD — William  Cowper  3 

THE  BIBLE — Phoebe  Palmer 4 

THE  WRITTEN  WORD— Sir  Robert  Grant 5 

BOOK  OF  GOD — Horatius  Bonar  5 

THE  OLD  BOOK — Abram  S.  Isaacs 7 

ISRAEL  AND  His  BOOK — Felix  N.  Gerson 7 

THE  HA'  BIBLE— Robert  Nicoll 8 

FULLNESS  OF  THE  BIBLE — H.  J.  Beits 9 

INSPIRATION  OF  THE  BIBLE — John  Dry  den 9 

CONTENTS  OF  THE  BIBLE — Peter  Heylyn 10 

ESTEEMING  THE  BIBLE — Horatius  Bonar n 

JUDAH'S  HALLOWED  BARDS — Aubrey  De  Vere n 

POETS  OF  OLD  ISRAEL — John  Vance  Cheney 12 

ON  TRANSLATING  THE  PSALMS — Sampson  Guideon,  Jr...  12 
To  GOD — Gregory  Nanziansen  (translated  by  Allen  W. 

Chatfield)  13 

THOU  ART  OF  ALL  CREATED  THINGS — Calderon 14 

THE  SEEING  EYE — Reginald  Heber 15 

O  THOU  ETERNAL  ONE — Gabriel  Romanovitch  Derz- 

havin  (translated  by  Sir  John  Bowing] 15 

THE  INFINITY  OF  GOD— Emily  Bronte 15 

ADORATION — Madame  Guyon  16 

"WHITHER  SHALL  I  Go?"— Eliza  Scudder 17 

CREATION'S  PSALM — Swoithin  Saint  Swithaine 17 

MAKING  OF  MAN — Edwin  Arnold 18 

ADAM  AND  EVE — John  Milton 20 

ADAM  TO  EVE — John  Milton 20 

XXV 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EVE — Lydia  Huntley  Sigourney  20 

THE  RAINBOW — Felicia  Remans  22 

•  THE  RAINBOW — Henry  Vaughan  22 

TRANSLATION  OF  THE  PATRIARCH — Lucy  A.  Randall 22 

ABRAHAM  AND  His  GODS — Richard  Monckton  Milnes 

(Lord  Houghton]  24 

ABRAHAM — John  Stuart  Blackie 25 

THE  TENT  OF  ABRAHAM — Charles  Swain 28 

THE  BALLADE  OF  DEAD  CITIES — Edmund  Gosse 30 

HAGAR — Hartley  Coleridge  31 

THE  MEETING  OF  ISAAC  AND  REBECCA — Arthur  Hugh 

Clough  31 

JACOB'S  DREAM — S.  D 32 

PILLOW  AND  STONE — Abram  S.  Isaacs 33 

BETH-EL — John  B.  Tabb 33 

As  JACOB  SERVED  FOR  RACHEL — Anonymous 34 

MIZPAH — Anonymous  36 

ISRAEL — John  Hay  36 

THE  CRY  OF  RACHEL — Lizette  Wordsworth  Reese 38 

DIRGE  OF  RACHEL — William  Knox 39 

MOSES — Ar.  N 40 

RESCUE  OF  MOSES — Anonymous 42 

THE  YOUNG  MOSES — Anonymous  44 

MOSES — John  Stuart  Blackie 46 

ON  THE  PICTURE  OF  THE  FINDING  OF  MOSES  BY  PHARAOH'S 

DAUGHTER — Charles  and  Mary  Lamb 48 

MOSES  IN  THE  DESERT — James  Montgomery. 50 

THE  DESTROYING  ANGEL — Abraham  Coivley 51 

THE  PASSOVER—/?.  E.  S 52 

OUT  OF  EGYPT — Dorothea  De  Pass 54 

PSALM  CXIV—Myrtilla  E.  Mitchell 55 

PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA — Reginald  Heber 56 

THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  PHARAOH — John  Ruskin 57 

THE  PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA — Henry  Hart  Milman 58 

PASSAGE  OF  THE  RED  SEA — Anonymous 59 

THE  SONG  OF  MIRIAM — Anonymous 60 

SOUND  THE  LOUD  TIMBREL—  Thomas  Moor" 61 

SONG  AT  THE  RED  SEA — George  Lansing  Taylor 62 

THE  FIRST  SONG  OF  MOSES — George  Wither 63 

MIRIAM — E.  Dudley  Jackson 65 

EXODUS  X:  21-23 — J>  W-  Burgon 67 

MOUNT  SINAI — Horatius  Bonar 67 

AT  SINAI — Isabella  R.  Hess 69 

DIVINE  LOVE — Anonymous  70 

"MOSES  AS  LAMP-BEARER" — William  Stigand 71 

AARON'S  BREASTPLATE— Anna  Shipton 71 

LIGHTS  IN  THE  TEMPLE — John  Keble 72 

BEZALEL — Israel  Zangwill 74 

MOSES  AND  THE  ANGEL — Edwin  Arnold 74 

xxvi 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS 

PAGE 

MOSES  AND  THE  DERVISH — Owen  Meredith 76 

THE  "MOSES"  OF  MICHAEL  ANGELO — Robert  Browning.  77 

MOSES  ON  MOUNT  NEBO — /.  Solomon 77 

THE  Kiss  OF  GOD — John  White  Chadwick 79 

WEEP,  CHILDREN  OF  ISRAEL — Thomas  Moore 80 

"No  MAN  KNOWETH  His  SEPULCHRE" — William  Cull  en 

Bryant  : 81 

BURIAL  OF  MOSES — Cecil  Frances  Alexander 81 

ODE  TO  THE  STATUE  OF  MOSES — Anonymous 84 

"SPEAK,  LORD,  FOR  THY  SERVANT  HEARETH" — James 

Drummond  Borthwick 85 

JEPHTHAH'S  DAUGHTER — Lord  Byron  86 

JEPHTHAH'S  DAUGHTER — Jehoash  (translated  by  Alter 

Brody]  86 

SAMSON — John  Milton  88 

RUTH—  Thomas  Hood  88 

RUTH  AND  NAOMI — William  Oliver  Bourne  Peabody..  89 

RUTH — H.  Hyman 90 

RUTH — Felicia  Hemans  90 

THE  MOABITESS — Phillips  Brooks  91 

RUTH  AND  NAOMI — Lowell  Courier 91 

SONG  OF  SAUL  BEFORE  His  LAST  BATTLE — Lord  Byron ....  92 

THE  FIELD  OF  GALBOA — William  Knox 92 

KYNGE  DAVID,  HYS  LAMENTE  OVER  THE  BODYES  OF  KYNGE 

SAUL   OF    ISRAEL    AND    His    SONNE    JONATHAN — Sir 

Philip  Sidney  93 

DAVID'S  LAMENT — Robert  Stephen  Hawker 95 

DAVID  AND  JONATHAN — Lucretia  Davidson 95 

LAMENTATION  OF  DAVID  OVER  SAUL  AND  JONATHAN  His 

SON — George  Wither  96 

JEHOVAH-NISSI.  THE  LORD  MY  BANNER — William  Coivper  97 

THE  SONG  OF  DAVID — Christopher  Sharp 98 

THE  POET'S  SOUL — Anonymous 99 

KING  DAVID — George  Peele 100 

To  DAVID — Miriam  Suhler 101 

DAVID — Alter  Abelson  101 

THE  HARP  OF  FAITH — Abram  S.  Isaacs 102 

THE  HARP  OF  DAVID— Jehoash  (translated  by  Alter 

Brody)  1Oj 

ABSALOM— Nathaniel  Parker  Willis 104 

IN  THAT  DAY— A.  C.  Benson 106 

THE  CHAMBER  OVER  THE  GATE— Henry  Wadsworth 

Longfellow  Iog 

ON  VIEWING  A  STATUE  OF  DAVID — Eve  Gore-Booth 108 

SLEEP — Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning Ic>9 

PSALM  VII— Alfred  S.  Schiller-Szinessy '.  109 

MY  TIMES  ARE  IN  THY  HANDS— Christopher  Newman 

Hall I10 

xxvii 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS 

PAGE 

"THE  LORD  Is  MY  SHEPHERD,  I  SHALL  NOT  WANT" — Re 

Henry     in 

THE  PRAYER  OF  SOLOMON  AT  THE  CONSECRATION  OF  THE 

TEMPLE — Rebekah  Hyneman   112 

SOLOMON  AND  THE  BEES — John  Godfrey  Saxe 114 

THE  CHIEF  AMONG  TEN  THOUSAND — Horatius  Bonar 116 

SOLOMON'S'  SONG — Regina  Miriam  Block 117 

THE  ROSE  OF  SHARON — Air  am  S.  Isaacs 118 

AZRAEL — Henry   Wadsworth   Longfellow 120 

WISDOM — Isidore  Myers    121 

HABAKKUK'S  PRAYER — William  Broome 122 

TRUST— M.   M. 122 

TRUSTFULNESS — J.  Leonard  Levy 123 

WATCHMAN!  WHAT  OF  THE  NIGHT? — James  Mew 124 

COME   NOT,   OH  LORD — Thomas  Moore 124 

THINK  ON  GOD—/?.  E.  S 125 

JOB'S    CONFESSION — Edward    Young 126 

DYING — SHALL  MAN  LIVE  AGAIN? — Albert  Frank  Hoff- 
mann   126 

THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  SENNACHERIB — Lord  Byron 127 

JEREMIAH,  THE  PATRIOT — John  Keble 128 

THE  RULER  OF  NATIONS — John  Keble 129 

THE  FALL  OF  JERUSALEM — Alfred  Tennyson 129 

HEBREW   MELODY — Mrs.  James   Gordon  Brooks 130 

LAMENT  FOR  JERUSALEM — Marion  and  Celia  Moss 131 

SONG  OF  THE  JEWISH  CAPTIVES — Henry  Neile 132 

THE  JEWISH  CAPTIVE'S  SONG — Marion  and  Celia  Moss..  132 

THE  HEBREW  MINSTREL'S  LAMENT — Anonymous 133 

JEWISH  HYMN  IN  BABYLON — Henry  Hart  Milman 134 

OH!   WEEP  FOR  THOSE — Lord  Byron 135 

NA-HA-MOO — J.   C.   Levy 136 

BY  THE  RIVERS  OF  BABYLON  WE  SAT  DOWN  AND  WEPT — 

Lord  Byron     137 

BY  BABEL'S   STREAMS — H.  Pereira  Mendes 137 

THE  JEWISH  CAPTIVE — Elizabeth  Oakes   (Prince]  Smith.  138 

THE  RETURN  FROM  CAPTIVITY — Marion  and  Celia  Moss.  139 

THE  WILD  GAZELLE — Lord  Byron 139 

NEHEMIAH  TO  ARTAXERXES — William  Knox 140 

BELSHAZZAR — Bryan  Waller  Proctor  (Barry  Cornwall} .  141 

DANIEL — Richard  Wilton   142 

VISION  OF  BELSHAZZAR — Lord  Byron 143 

BABYLON — Anonymous    144 

HEROD'S  LAMENT  FOR  MARIAMNE — Lord  Byron 145 

THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT — Nina  Davis 146 

BEFORE  THE  ARK — George   Alexander  Kohut 149 

MENORAH — William  Ellery  Leonard  151 

THE  MENORAH — Harry  Wolfsohn    (translated  by  H.  B. 

Ehrmann]      153 

THE  HOLY  FLAME  "MENORAH" — George  Jay  Holland...  154 

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THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  HIGH  PRIEST — Marie  Harrold  Gar- 
rison    155 

THE  HIGH  PRIEST  TO  ALEXANDER — Alfred  Tennyson....   156 
ON   THE   DAY   OF  THE    DESTRUCTION    OF   JERUSALEM   BY 

TITUS — Lord  Byron    1 57 

AT  SAMARIA — Clinton  Scot  lard 158 

THE  TEMPLE — David  Lewi  159 

ODE  TO  THE  SACRED  LAMPS — M.  L.  R.  Breslar 160 


II.    TALMUDICAL  PERIOD 

THE  SEA  OF  THE  TALMUD — Joseph  Leiser 163 

THE    TALMUD — S.    Frug     (translated    by    Alice    Stone 

Blackwell]     165 

HILLEL  AND  His  GUEST — Alice  Lucas 167 

AKIBA — Alter  Abelson   167 

SUNSHINE  AFTER  STORM — William  Dearness 168 

WHO  SERVES  BEST — George  Alexander  Kohut 169 

BE  NOT  LIKE  SERVANTS  BASELY  BRED — Alice  Lucas 170 

THE  COMMANDMENT  OF  FORGETFULNESS — Alice  Lucas 171 

WHO  ARE  THE  WISE  ? — Anonymous 172 

WHAT  RABBI  JEHOSHA  SAID — James  Russell  Lowell 172 

BROTHERLY  LOVE — Thomas  Bailey  Aldrich  (?) 173 

GOD'S  MESSENGERS — Mrs.  A.  R.  Levy 174 

BEN  KARSHOOK'S  WISDOM — Robert  Browning 175 

THE  VISION  OF  HUNA — Abram  S.  Isaacs 176 

RABBI  BEN  HISSAR — Anonymous   177 

THE  MESSENGER — O.  B.  Merrill 179 

THE  FORGOTTEN  RABBI — G.  M.  H 180 

THE  Two  RABBINS — John   Greenleaf  Whittier 181 

THE  Two  RABBIS — Mrs.  Levitus 184 

AT  LAST— Adelaide  G.   Waters .  .   185 

THE  PASSING  OF  RABBI  Assi — Edwin  Pond  Parker 186 

THE  LENT  JEWELS — Richard  Chenevix  Trench 189 

THE  LOAN — Sabine  Baring-Gould 190 

THE  Two  FRIENDS — John  Godfrey  Saxe 194 

THE  RABBI'S  VISION — Francis  Browne 195 

THE  EMPEROR  AND  THE  RABBI — George  Croly 198 

HE  OF  PRAYER—/.  F 200 

THE  ANGEL  OF  TRUTH — Leopold  Stein 201 

THE  FAITHFUL  BRIDE — Anonymous 204 

THE  TONGUE — John  D.  Nussbaum 205 

THE  TONGUE — Anonymous  206 

THE  UNIVERSAL  MOTHER — Sabine  Baring-Gould 206 

SANDALPHON — Henry   Wadsworth  Longfellow 207 

REPENT  ONE  DAY  BEFORE  THY  DEATH — Rabbi  Eleazar..  209 
VALUE  OF  REPENTANCE — Robert  Her  rick 209 

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III.    MEDIAEVAL  PERIOD 

Now  DIE  AWAY  MY  TUNEFUL  SONG — Anonymous 213 

MARTYRDOM — Rufus  Lear  si    213 

DURING  THE   CRUSADES — Eleazar    214 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — Menahem  Ben  Jacob 215 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — David  Ben  Meshullam 215 

DURING  THE   CRUSADES — Hillel  Ben  Jacob 216 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — E.  H.  Plumptre 217 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — Anonymous   218 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — Ezra  Ben  Tanhum 219 

DURING  THE  CRUSADES — Kalonymus  Ben  Judah 219 

ISRAEL  MOCKED — Anonymous   220 

THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  JEWS  AT  YORK — Marion  and  Celia 

Moss     221 

THE  HARVESTING  OF  THE  ROSES — Menahem  Ben  Jacob..  226 

A  MARTYR'S  DEATH — Menahem  Ben  Jacob 226 

THE  JEWISH   MARTYR — Moss  Marks 226 

A  SONG  OF  REDEMPTION — Solomon  Ibn   Gabirol    (trans- 
lated by  Nina  Davis} 229 

JEHUDA   BEN    HALEVY — Heinrich    Heine    (translated    by 

Margaret  Armour]     231 

To  JUDAH  HA-LEVI — M.  L.  R.  Breslar 236 

How  LONG  ? — Judah  Ha-Levi   237 

BACK,    MY    SOUL — Judah    Ha-Levi    (translated    by    M. 

Simon)      237 

OH!    CITY  OF  THE  WORLD — Judah  Ha-Levi    (translated 

by  Kate  Magnus)    238 

THE    IMMORTALITY   OF    ISRAEL — Judah   Ha-Levi    (trans- 
lated  by  Israel   Cohen) 238 

THE   PRIDE  OF   A  JEW — Judah  Ha-Levi    (translated   by 

Israel   Cohen)    ._ 239 

THE  LORD  Is  MY  PORTION — Judah  Ha-Levi. 239 

MY  HEART  Is  IN  THE  EAST — Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated 

by  H.  Pereira  Mendes) 240 

SEPARATION — Judah  Ha-Levi   . 240 

"FROM  THEE  TO  THEE" — Solomon  Ibn   Gabirol    (trans- 
lated by  I.  A.) 241 

THE  CRY  OF  ISRAEL — Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol    (translated 

by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen) •  •  •  241 

0  SOUL,    WITH    STORMS    BESET — Solomon    Ibn    Gabirol 

(translated  by  Alice  Lucas) . 242 

THE  DANCE  OF  DEATH — Santo b  de  Carrion 244 

SONG  OF  THE  SPANISH  JEWS — Grace  Aguilar 245 

1  WILL  NOT  HAVE  You  THINK  ME  LESS — Santob  de  Car- 

rion      •  •  •  246 

WHY  SHOULD  I  WANDER  SADLY? — Susskind  von   Trim- 
berg    248 

SONNET — Immanuel  Ben  Solomon  of  Rome 248 

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SONNET- — Rachel  Morpurgo    249 

SONNET — Sara   Cop'ia  Sullam 249 

FRIENDSHIP — Santob  de   Carrion 250 


IV.     THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  SABBATH — Isidore  G.  Ascher 253 

PRINCESS  SABBATH — Heinrich  Heine  (translated  by  Mar- 
garet Armour]    253 

THE  SABBATH  LAMP — "Grace  Aguilar 258 

BLESSING  THE  LIGHTS — Alter  Abelson 260 

SONG  FOR  FRIDAY  NIGHT — Isidore  Myers 261 

THE  HEBREW'S  FRIDAY  NIGHT — Anonymous 263 

SABBATH  HYMN — Solomon  Alkabiz 265 

COME,    MY  BELOVED — M.   M 266 

THE  SABBATH  EVE — Samuel  Augustus  Willoughby  Duf- 

field   267 

FRIDAY  NIGHT — Miriam  Del  Banco 268 

FRIDAY  NIGHT — Isidore  G.  Ascher 269 

SABBATH  HYMN — Aaron  Cohen 270 

THE  SABBATH — Nina  Davis 270 

SABBATH — Alter  Abelson    271 

THE  DAY  OF  REST—  Gustav  Gottheil 272 

WHEN  Is  THE  JEW  IN  PARADISE? — Joseph  Leiser 272 

SABBATH   THOUGHTS — Grace   Aguilar 273 

GOD    OF    THE    WORLD — Israel    Nagara     (translated    by 

Israel   Abrahams]     274 

A  SABBATH  OF  REST — Attributed  to  Isaac  Luria    (trans- 
lated  by   Nina   Davis] 275 

HYMN    FOR    THE    CONCLUSION    OF    THE    SABBATH — Alice 

Lucas    276 

THE  TWIN  STARS — Joel  Blau   (translated  by  Joel  Blau]  .   277 
THE    TWIN    STARS — Joel    Blau    (translated    by    George 

Alexander  Kohut]    278 

THE   SABBATH   DAY — KIDDUSH    AND   HABDALAH — Anony- 
mous       278 

THE 'OUTGOING  OF  SABBATH — Alter  Abelson 279 

THE    LAST    SABBATH    LIGHT — H.   Rosenblatt    (translated 

by  Leah   W.  Leonard} 280 

SELICHOTH — Alter  Abelson   280 

THE  TURN  OF  THE  YEARS— H.  B.  Friedlander 282 

INTO  THE  TOMB  OF  AGES  PAST — Penina  Moise 283 

ROSH-HASHANAH — Joseph  K.  Foran 284 

NEW  YEAR — Florence  W 'eisberg    285 

5666 — NEW  YEAR — 1905 — Jacob  Klein   285 

SHOFAR  ECHOES — Annette  Kohn    286 

KOL   NIDRE — M.   Osias    287 

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KOL   NIDRE — Joseph   Leiser 288 

KIPPUR — Rebekah   Hyneman    291 

DAY  OF  ATONEMENT — Anonymous    292 

YOM  KIPPUR — George  Alexander  Kohut 293 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  DAY  OF  ATONEMENT — George  Alexan- 
der Kohut    293 

YOM   KIPPUR — Gustav   Gottheil    293 

THE  WHITE  AND  SCARLET  THREAD — Anonymous 294 

AFTER  YOM   KIPPUR — Cora    Wilburn 294 

PALMS    AND    MYRTLES — Eleazar    Kalir     (iranslaicd    by 

Alice  Lucas]    296 

THE  TABERNACLE — Rose  Emma  Collins 296 

SUCCOTH — M.   M 297 

A  TABERNACLE  THOUGHT — Israel  Zangwill 298 

A  SUCCOTH  HYMN — Joseph  Leiser 299 

SIMCHAS  TORAH — Morris  Rosenfeld   300 

SIMCHAS  TORAH — J.  L.   Gordon 301 

SIMCHAS  TORAH — C.  David  Matt 303 

JUDAS  MACCABEUS — Henry  Snowman    305 

THE  MACCABEAN — Horace  M.  Kail  en 305 

THE  MACCABEAN  CALL — Ernil   G.  Hirsch 306 

THE   MACCABEES — Miriam  Myers    307 

THE  BANNER  OF  THE  JEW — Emma  Lazarus 309 

THE  JEWISH  MOTHER  AND  HER  SONS  BEFORE  ANTIOCHUS 

— R.    Manahan    310 

A  TALE  FROM  THE  TALMUD — William  Dearness 313 

SONG  OF  JUDAS  MACCABEUS  BEFORE  THE  BATTLE  OF  MAS- 

PHA — Rebekah   Hyneman    317 

THE  MIRACULOUS  OIL — Caroline  Deutsch 318 

THE  FEAST  OF  LIGHTS — Emma  Lazarus 319 

CHANUKAH  HYMN — Adolph  Huebsch   321 

GOLDEN  LIGHTS  FOR  CHANUKAH — Janie  Jacobson 321 

THE  EIGHT  CHANUKAH  LIGHTS — Isidore  My.ers 322 

CHANUKAH  LIGHTS — M.  M 323 

CHANUKAH  LIGHTS — Harold  Debrest 324 

CHANUKAH  LIGHTS — P.  M.  Raskin 325 

LEGENDARY  LIGHTS — Alter  Abelson  326 

CHANUKAH — Marion   Hartog    327 

CHANUKAH  IN  RUSSIA,  1905 — E.  L.  Levetus 328 

CHANUKAH — Margaret  Fireman   329 

CHANUKAH — Cecilia  G.  Gerson   329 

Mo'oz    TSUR   YESHU'OSI — (translated   by   Solomon    Solis 

Cohen]    330 

CHANUKAH — Louis   Stern    .- 332 

VASHTI — Helen  Hunt  Jackson    333 

A  PURIM  POEM — Isabella  R.  Hess 334 

ESTHER — Florence    Weisberg    335 

MAID  OF  PERSIA — Harry    W elss 335 

ESTHER — Helen  Hunt  Jackson 336 

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PURIM — Label  337 

IN  SHUSHAN — E.  Yancey  Cohen 338 

PuRiM—Myrtilla  £.  Mitchell .  340 

MORDECAI — Anonymous  343 

MORDECAI — Helen  Hunt  Jackson 344 

PURIM — C.  David  Matt  345 

A  PURIM  RETROSPECT — W.  S.  Howard 346 

PURIM,  1900 — Alice  D.  Braham 348 

THE  SEARCH  FOR  LEAVEN — Alter  Abelson 349 

THE  MORAL  OF  IT — Samuel  Gordon 350 

THE  SEDER— J.  F 352 

SEDER-NIGHT — Israel  Zangwill  353 

PASSOVER — Abram  S.  Isaacs 354 

A  PASSOVER  HYMN  FROM  THE  HAGGADA — J.  F 355 

PASSOVER — Deborah  Kleinert  Janoivitz 355 

BY  THE  RED  SEA — Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by  Alice 

Lucas]  356 

THE  ALL  FATHER'S  WORD — Emily  Solis-Cohen,  Jr 358 

THE  FEAST  OF  FREEDOM — P.  M.  Raskin 358 

PESACH  LE'OSID — Anonymous  360 

THE  OMER— M.  M 361 

SFERE — Morris  Rosenfeld  361 

THE  COVENANT  OF  SINAI — Joseph  Leiser 362 

WHAT  PRAISE  Is  ON  OUR  LIPS? — Joseph  Leiser 364 

THE  HEAVENLY  LIGHT — Max  Meyerhardt 365 

PENTECOST — Annette  Kohn  366 

THE  FAST  OF  TEBETH — Joseph  Bar  Samuel  Tob  Elem 

(translated  by  Nina  Davis] 369 

LINES  FOR  THE  NINTH  OF  AB — Solomon  Soils  Cohen....  370 
ODE  TO  ZION — Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by  Alice 

Lucas}  371 

ODE  TO  ZION — Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by  Nina 

Davis)  374 

IN  MEMORIAM,  NINTH  OF  AB — Ben  Avrom 377 

A  THOUGHT  FOR  THE  NINTH  OF  AB — Hadassah 378 


V.    LITURGICAL 

HYMN  OF  UNITY — Samuel  Ben  Kalonymus 381 

THE  HYMN  OF  GLORY — Judah  He-Hasid   (translated  by 

Israel   Zangwill}     381 

THE  HYMN  OF  GLORY — Translated  by  I.  A 384 

HYMN  OF  GLORY — Translated  by  Alice  Lucas 386 

THE  KADDISH—  W.   W 387 

ODE  ON  CHAZANUTH — Nina  Davis 389 

ADON  OLAM — D.  A.  De  Sola 390 

ADON  OLAM — Israel  Zangwill  390 

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ADON   OLAM — George  Borrow    391 

PARAPHRASE  OF  ADON  OLAM — David  Nunes   Carvalho..   392 

ADON  OLAM — Anonymous     393 

ADON   OLAM — Jessie  E.  Sampler 394 

ADON   OLAM — Israel   Gollancz    395 

OUR  CREED — J.  Leonard  Levy    395 

YIGDAL — Israel  Zangwill    397 

YIGDAL — Florence    Ahronsberg    398 

YIGDAL — Philip  Abraham   399 

YIGDAL — Alice  Lucas    401 

THE   MEZUZAH — Alter  Abelson    402 

TEPHILLIN — Aaron  Sc/iaffer     403 

MORNING  SONG — Henry  S.  Jacobs 404 

MORNING    SONG — Solomon   Ibn    Gabirol    (translated   by 

Alice  Lucas}    405 

SONG  OF  ISRAEL  TO  GOD — Judah  Ha-Levi   (translated  by 

Alice  Lucas} 405 

MORNING  INVOCATION — Solomon  Ibn   Gabirol 406 

NIGHT  PRAYER — Florence  W cisberg 406 

NIGHT  PRAYER — Alice  Lucas    407 

NIGHT  PRAYER — Alice  Lucas    408 

NISHMAS — Florence   Weisberg    408 

NISHMAS — Penina  Mo'ise   .    <oq 

ADORATION — David   Levy    .^ 

THE  BENEDICTION — Harry  Weiss   410 

GRACE  AFTER  MEALS — Anonymous    (translated  by  Alice 

Lucas}     4ir 

MAN,  THE  IMAGE  OF  GOD — Penina  Mo'ise 413 

GRACE  FOR  THE  SABBATH — Alice  Lucas 414 

FAITH — Alice  Lucas   

RUDE  ARE  THE  TABERNACLES  Now — Anonymous ,  j 

GOD  Is  NIGH  TO  CONTRITE  HEARTS — David  Levy 416 

A  PRAYER — Alice  Lucas   417 

A  PRAYER— V.  H.  Friedlandcr 418 

SACRED  LYRIC — Isidore  G.  Ascher 418 

THE  VOICE  OF  GOD — M .  M 419 

PRAYER — Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol 420 

HOPE  FOR  THE  SALVATION  OF  THE  LORD — Abraham   Ibn 

Ezra    420 

GOD   EVERYWHERE — Abraham   Ibn   Ezra    (translated   by 

D.  E.  de  L.} "»o 

THE    LIVING    GOD — Abraham  Ibn  Ezra    (translai  ,  vH  31*'" 

Alice   Lucas}    ;  «+-.«. 

A  SONG  OF  LIFE — Abraham  Ibn  Ezra   (translated  by  E. 

N.  A.} 422 

GOD,  WHOM  SHALL  I  COMPARE  TO  THEE? — Judah  Ha- 

Levi    (translated   by   Alice  Lucas} 424 

O  LORD,  I  CALL  ON  THEE — Abraham  Ibn  Ezra 425 

LORD,  THOU  GREAT  JEHOVAH — Albert  Frank  Hoffmann.  426 

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LORD,  Do  THOU  GUIDE  ME — Alice  Lucas 427 

SONG  OF  THE  DEW — Translated  ly  Solomon  Soli*   Cohen  428 
AND  THE  HEAVENS  SHALL  YIELD  THEIR  DEW — Solomon 

Ibn  Gabirol  (translated  by  Solomon  Soils  Cohen]  . .  428 
THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW — Meir  of  Rothenberg  (trans- 
lated  by  Nina  Davis) 430 

THE  ROYAL  CROWN — Israel  Abrahams 434 

NEW  YEAR  HYMN — Joseph    Krauskopf. . 435 

THE  ROYAL  CROWN — Solomon  Ibn   Gabirol   (translated 

by  Rebecca  A.  Altman) 435 

SERVANT  OF  GOD — Judah  Ha-Levl   (translated  by  Israel 

Zangwill]    436 

YEA,  MORE  THAN  THEY — Alice  Lucas 438 

ADONAI  MELECH — Translated  by  Solomon  'Soils  Cohen.  438 
THEE    I    WILL    SEEK — Simeon    Ben    Isaac    Ben    Abun 

(translated  by  Israel  Zangwill] 439 

EVENTS    THE    DAILY    OFFERING — Solomon    Ben    Abun 

translated  by  Alice  Lucas] 442 

SUPPLICATION — Jose  Ben  Jose 443 

Lo!  As  THE  POTTER  MOULDETH — Elsie  Davis . ..  444 

HAPPY  HE  WHO  SAW  OF  OLD — Solomon    Ibn    Gabirol 

(translated   by   Alice   Lucas] 445 

IV?  -I-'FTTNG  OF  MINE  HANDS — Mordecai  Ben  Shabbe- 

bi-  i  translated  by  Nina  Davis] 447 

SINCE  WE  BE  STANDING — Ephralm  Ben  Isaac  (translated 

by  Nina  Davis ]    449 

vWtTHE-  SUPPLIANT — Baruch  Ben  Samuel   (translated 

*#/  Nina  Davis] 451 

ALL  THE  WORLD  SHALL  COME  TO  SERVE  THEE — Israel 

tniu'ill    . .  r 453 

JL*  M£  HEIGHT  AND  DEPTH  OF  His  BURNING — Meshullam 

Ben  Kalonymus   (translated  by  Israel  Zangivill]  . .  454 
LORD,   I   REMEMBER — Mordecai   Ben   Shabbethai    (trans- 
lated by  Nina  Davis] 456 


VI.    NATIONAL 

•'•V      "          •'  ^-\M  ! 

HATIKVAH^— A    SONG    OF    HOPE — Naphtall    Herz    Imber 

(translated  by  Henry  Snowman] 459 

/7-~-'"  IIING  SONG — Naphtall  Herz  Imber   (trans- 

!f/  Israel  Zangwill] 460 

ONWARD — J.  Manicoff    462 

ON  ! — George  Benedict    463 

To  THE  GLORY  OF  JERUSALEM — Judah  Ha-Levi 464 

JERUSALEM — P.  C.  L 465 

ZION — Louis  Federlelcht    466 

A  SONG  OF  ZION — Walter  Vernon-Epsteln 467 

THE  SHOSHANAH — George  E.  Chodowsky 469 

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THE  RETURN— R.  E.  1 471 

ON  TO  THE  PROMISED  LAND — Rufus  Lear  si 471 

To  ZION— M.  B.  S 473 

ZIONISM — Samuel  Roth    473 

WANDERING — Samuel  Roth  473 

THE  PROMISED  LAND — Jessie  E.  Sampler 474 

JERUSALEM — John  Kebble  Hervey 476 

THE  WAILING  PLACE  IN  JERUSALEM — Louis  Federlcicht.  478 

LAMENT  OF  THE  DAUGHTERS  OF  ZION — J.  F 479 

LONGING  FOR  JERUSALEM — Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by 

Emma  Lazarus]    481 

AWAKENING — Jessie  E.  Sampler 481 

DAUGHTER  OF  ZION — Anonymous   482 

BUT  WHO  SHALL  SEE  ? — Thomas  Moore 482 

THE  LATTER  DAY — Thomas  Hastings 483 

"AND  ZION  BE  THE  GLORY  YET" — Anonymous 483 

THE  HARP  OF  ZION — James   Willis 484 

THE  RESTORATION  OF  ISRAEL — James  Montgomery 485 

ISRAEL'S  GOD — Lawrence  Cohen 486 

HE  WATCHETH  OVER  ISRAEL — Solomon  L.  Long 486 

'Tis  TO  THE  EAST — Anonymous    487 

EE-CHOVOUD— S.  R.  Hirsch 488 

THE  DAWN  OF  HOPE — C.  Pessels 488 

THE  JEWS  WEEPING  IN  JERUSALEM — James  Wallis  East- 
burn    489 

DYING  IN  JERUSALEM — Thomas  Ragg 490 

WHEN  I  THINK  OF  THEE,  O  ZION — John  D.  Nussbaum.  491 

REDEMPTION — Anonymous    492 

GOOD  TIDINGS  TO  ZION — Thomas  Kelly 493 

A  CRY  F0£  ZION — L.  Smirnow , . 493 

A  SONG  OF  ZION — Carroll  Ryan 495 

ZIONISM — Miriam    Blaustein    '. .  496 

ZIONISM — Herbert  N.   Carson    496 

RALLYING   SONG — Jessie  E.  Sampler 497 

IN  THE  LAND  OF  OUR  FATHERS — K.  L.  Sillman 498 

ON  TO  THE  EAST — Naphtali  Herz  Imber   (translated  by 

Rebecca  A.  Altman]    498 

THE  CEDARS  OF  LEBANON — Henry  Schnittkind 499 

O   SWEET  ANEMONES  ! — Jessie  E.  Sampter 500 

ZION — Eugene  Kohn    501 

THE  AWAKENING  OF  ISRAEL — Anonymous 502 

SING  UNTO  GOD  A  NEW  SONG — Eugene  Kohn 503 

IN    EXILE- — Morris    Rosenfeld     (translated    by    Isidore 

Myers] 503 

PSALM  CXXVI— /.  R.  B 504 

ZIONISM — Joseph   Leiser    505 

THEODORE  HERZL — Felix  N.   Gerson. 505 

To  THEODORE   HERZL — Gustav    Gottheil    (translated  by 

George  Alexander  Kohut]    506 

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THEODORE    HERZL — Israel   Zang<will    507 

THEODORE  HERZL — Harry  Myers   507 

THE  POET'S   SPIRIT — Joseph  Fitzpatrick 508 

A  HYMN  OF  ZION — Joel  Blau    509 


VII.     THE   MODERN   PERIOD 

BAR  KOCHBA — Emma  Lazarus    513 

THE  JEWISH   EXILE — Leon  Huhner 513 

THE   JEWISH   PILGRIM — Frances   Browne 515 

THE  ARCH  OF  TITUS — Harry   Wolf  so  hn    (translated   by 

Horace   M,    Kallen]     517 

TOURIST  AND  CICERONE — Ludwig  August  Frankl   (trans- 
lated by  Henry   Cohen] 517 

JUDEA — Charles  M.   Wallington   519 

THE  TOMBS  OF  THE  FATHERS — James  Montgomery 519 

THE   WANDERING  JEW — David  Levi 522 

THE  SENTINEL  OF  THE  AGES — Ibbie  McColm  Wilson 523 

BEFORE  BATTLE — Samuel  Roth    528 

THE  JEW — George  Alfred  Toivnsend    529 

THE  EVERLASTING  JEW — Henry  B.  Sommer 530 

ISRAEL — Ida   Goldsmith  Morris    531 

ISRAEL  FORSAKEN — Charles  Leon   Gumpcrt 531 

PUISSANCE  OF  THE  JEW — C.  W.  Wynne 533 

HONOR  OF  THE  JEW'S — William  Hodson 533 

MOCK  ON  !    MOCK  ON  ! — William  Blake 534 

"His   PEOPLE" — Anonymous    534 

THE  JEW  is  TRUE — Joaquin  Miller 535 

O    ISRAEL — Robert  Loveman    536 

THE  EVERLASTING  JEW — Percy  Bysshe  Shelley 537 

JEWS — Anonymous 538 

ISRAEL'S   SPIRITUAL  LAMP — George  Eliot 538 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  HEBRAISM — Harry  Wolf  so  hn    (translated 

by   H.   B.   Ehrmann] 539 

ZION'S  UNIVERSAL  TEMPLE — Harry  Weiss 540 

A  SONG  OF  ISRAEL—/.  H.  Cuthbert 541 

THE  FATED  RACE — Anonymous   542 

PEOPLE  OF  ZION — Marie  Harrold  Garrison 543 

ISRAEL'S  MISSION — Eve  Davieson 543 

To  YOUNG  ISRAEL — M.  Osias   545 

THE   MYSTIC  TIE — Max  Meyerhardt 546 

MY  HERITAGE — Cora   Wilburn    547 

SHEMA-YISROEL-ADONAI-ELOHENU-ADONAI-ECHOD — Nathan 

Bernstein      548 

JUDAEIS  VITA  AETERNA — Charles  N.  Lur'ie 549 

"THE  CHILDREN  OF  THE  PALE" — Anonymous 550 

JUDAH — George  R.  Du  Bois 551 

THE  CHOSEN  ONES  OF  ISRAEL — Park  Benjamin 552 

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PAGE 

THE  STAR  OF  DISCONTENT — X 553 

THEY  CALL  Us  JEWS — Milton  Goldsmith 553 

THE  JEW'S  APPEAL  TO  THE  CHRISTIAN — J.  W.  Blen- 

cowe,  Jr 555 

THE  JEW  TO  JESUS — Florence  Kiper  Frank 557 

MOSES  AND  JESUS — Israel  Zang<will 557 

LINES  TO  AN  ANTI-SEMITE — Edward  Sydney  Tybee 558 

I  WOULD  REPLY — Milton  Goldsmith. 559 

"ONLY  A  JEW"— P.  H 560 

THOU  ART  A  JEW — I.  N.  L 561 

ISRAEL — Israel  Zangwill  563 

ISRAEL — Max  Meyerhardt  564 

THE  JEWS  OF  ENGLAND  (1290-1902) — Israel  Zangwill..  566 

THE  RIGHT  OF  ASYLUM — Stephen  Phillips 567 

THE  JEWISH  SOLDIER — Alice  Lucas 567 

ISRAEL  AND  COLUMBIA — John  J.  McCabe 568 

THE  JEW  IN  AMERICA — Felix  N.  Gerson 570 

THE  GHETTO- JEW — Rufus  Lear  si  572 

THE  MELTING  POT — Berton  Braley  573 

A  CALL  TO  THE  BUILDERS — Helen  Gray  Cone 574 

O  LONG  THE  WAY — Morris  Rosenfeld 575 

THE  CANDLE  SELLER — Morris  Rosenfeld 575 

THE  JEWISH  MAY — Morris  Rosenfeld 577 

"THE  LIGHT  IN  THE  EYES" — Oscar  Loeb 581 

"¥ES,  HE'S  A  JEW" — John  Paul  Cosgrave 582 

THE  JEW  TO  THE  GENTILE — Sara  Messing  Stern 584 

THE  YELLOW  BADGE — Ruth  Schechter  Alexander 585 

A  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  JEWS — Rufus  C.  Hopkins 587 

AT  ELLIS  ISLAND — Margaret  Chandler  Aldrich 590 

ELLIS  ISLAND — James  Oppenheim  591 

AT  THE  GATE — Nathan  F.  Spielvogel 593 

THE  MAGIC  WORDS — Melvin  G.  linstock 594 

SHEMA  YISRAEL  ADONAY-ELOHAINU  ADONAY-ECHOD — Ib- 

bie  McColm  Wilson 595 

BE  THOU  A  JEW — Samuel  E.  Loveman 596 

THE  CHOSEN — Elizabeth  McMurtrie  Dinwiddie 596 

GOD'S  CHOSEN  PEOPLE — Adapted  by  Joel  Blau 598 

OUR  PASSWORD — Isidore  G.  Ascher 599 

ONLY  A  JEW — David  Banks  Sickles 599 

"JEW" — George  Faux  Bacon  600 

RECOGNITION — Miriam  Teichner  601 

Is  IT  TRUE  ? — Marie  Harrold  Garrison 602 

IN  THE  HOUR  OF  NEED — Leto 603 

THE  LITTLE  JEW — Dinah  Maria  Mulock  Craik 604 

ONLY  A  JEW — Anonymous  607 

HOLY  CROSS  DAY — Robert  Browning 609 

THE  GUARDIAN  OF  THE  RED  DISK — Emma  Lazarus 614 

RABBI  BEN  EZRA — Robert  Browning 615 

THE  ANGEL — Dorothy  S.  Silverman 616 

xxxviii 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A  LEGEND — Jehoash   (translated  by  Ellas  Lieberman]  .  .   617 

THE   RABBI'S   SONG — Rudyard  Kipling 617 

A  SONNET— M.  L.  R.  Breslar 618 

THE  HEBREW  MIND — M.  L.  R.  Breslar 618 

WHO  GIVES  IN  LOVE — Isidor  Wise 619 

AN  INVOCATION — Isidore  G.  Ascher 619 

ADAS  ISRAEL — M.  Beyer   621 

POETRY — Louis   Untermeyer    622 

OUR  HERITAGE — Isidore  G.  Ascher 623 

ISRAEL'S  HERITAGE — Ida  Goldsmith  Morris 623 

FIN   DE    SIECLE — Anonymous    624 

HOPE    AND    FAITH — Isaac    Leib    Perez     (translated   by 

Henry    Goodman]     625 

NOT  BY  POWER — Mary  M.   Cohen 625 

LINES — Alice  Rhine    626 

THE  GLORY  OF  GOD — Rebekah  Hyneman 627 

.LESSONS  OF  THE  PAST — Harry  Weiss 627 

RODEF  SHALOM — W.  G.  Skillman  628 

THE  NEW  TEMPLE — Louis  Marshall 629 

CONSECRATION   HYMN — R.    Wagner    630 

THE  KINGDOM  OF  GOD — Edward  Bulger  Lytton 631 

REBECCA'S  HYMN — Sir  Walter  Scott 631 

A  JEWISH   FAMILY — William   Wordsworth 632 

REBECCA,  THE  JEWESS — Clark  B.  Cochrane 634 

THE  AMERICAN  JEWESS — Albert  Ulmann 634 

JEWESS — Joaquin  Miller 63  5 

THE  JEWESS — Allan  Davis 636 

ORIENTALE — William    Henley    636 

AN  ORIENTAL  MAIDEN — J.  O.  Jenkyns 637 

THE  MAID  OF  THE  GHETTO — Anonymous 637 

THE  JEWISH  MOTHER — A  Daughter  of  Judah 638 

LIKE  UNTO  SHARON'S  ROSES — Rufus  Lear  si 639 

"I  SAW  A  MAIDEN  SWEET  AND  FAIR" — Rufus  Learsi 639 

LINES  TO  A  JEWISH  CHILD — C.  D 640 

RACHEL — Matthew  Arnold  640 

RACHEL — Anonymous    642 

KALICH,  INHERITOR  OF  TRAGEDY — Ripley  D.  Sanders....   643 

To  THE  MEMORY  OF  GRACE  AGUILAR — Anonymous 644 

MOSES  MENDELSSOHN — Miriam   Del  Banco 6.15 

HEINE— A.  R.  Aldrich 648 

HEINE — George    Sylvester    Viereck 648 

HEINRICH   HEINE — Ludwig  Lewisohn    649- 

To  HEINRICH  HEINE — George  Alexander  Kohut 650 

ERNEST  RENAN — Mary  Darmesteter    650 

THE   JEWS'    CEMETERY  ON   THE   LIDO — John    Addington 

Symonds     651 

THE  JEWISH  CEMETERY  AT  NEWPORT — Henry  Wadsworth 

Longfellow    651 

FRANCE'S  SHAME — B.  B.  Usher 653 

xxxix 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

To  DREYFUS  VINDICATED — Robert  Underwood  Johnson.  654 

DREYFUS — Edwin  Markham  655 

DREYFUS — Florence  Earle  Coates 656 

LET  Us  FORGET — K.  M 657 

THE  GOD  OF  ISRAEL — C.  M.  Kohan 657 

THE  JEWS  IN  RUSSIA — Edward  Doyle 659 

ON  THE  RUSSIAN  PERSECUTION  OF  THE  JEWS — Algernon 

Charles  Swinburne  659 

RUSSIA  AND  THE  JEWS — Punch 660 

THE  KISHINEFF  MASSACRE — Rose  Strauss 660 

ON  THE  MASSACRE — Chayim  Nachman  Byalik 660 

GOD  AND  His  MARTYRS — Chayim  Nachman  Byalik 661 

THE  JEWISH  MARTYRS — W.  V.  B 662 

THE  PERSECUTED  JEW — Step/ten  Taylor  Dekins 663 

IN  THE  NAME  OF  JESUS  OF  NAZARETH — Anonymous 663 

How  LONG  ? — Israel  Cohen  664 

ISRAEL  IN  RUSSIA — Arthur  Guiterman 665 

THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  JEWS — R.  A.  Levy 666 

How  LONG,  O  LORD? — Elias  Lieberman 668 

IN  EXILE — Emma  Lazarus 669 

A  CRY  FROM  RUSSIA — H ermine  Schwed 671 

To  RUSSIA — Joaquin  Miller  672 

THE  SLAUGHTER  OF  THE  JEWS — A.  J.  Waterhouse 673 

THE  CROWING  OF  THE  RED  COCK — Emma  Lazarus 675 

A  HYMN  FOR  THE  RELIEF  OF  ISRAEL — Canon  Jenkins . . . .  676 
To  THE  CZAR — A  PROPHECY — Ida  (Airs.  Isidor)  Straus.  677 

"To  FORGIVE  Is  DIVINE" — M.  L.  R.  Breslar 678 

"BLOOD"  v.  "BULLION" — Punch  679 

THE  JEWS  OF  BUCHAREST — Edward  Sydney  Tybee 681 

To  CARMEN  SYLVA  (QUEEN  OF  ROUMANIA) — Emma 

Lazarus  682 

LINES  ON  CARMEN  SYLVA — Emma  Lazarus 684 

THE  RUSSIAN  JEWISH  RABBI — Translated  by  Herman 

Bernstein 685 

"MAi-Ko-MASHMA-LoN" — Abraham  Raisin  (translated  by 

Henry  Greenfield)  688 

THE  JEWISH  SOLDIER — Alice  Lucas 689 

B'NAI  B'RITH — Miriam  Del  Banco 691 

B'NAI  B'RITH — Rosa  Strauss  693 

ON  ATTEMPTING  TO  CONVERT  THE  JEWS  TO  CHRISTIANITY 

— Anonymous  694 

AUTUMN  SONGS — S.  Frug  (translated  by  Alice  Stone 

Blackwell)  696 

FELDMESTEN  OR  MEASURING  THE  GRAVES — Alter  Abelson.  698 

NATURE  AND  THE  POET — S.  Frug 699 

ON  THE  GRAVE  OF  MICHAEL  GORDON — S.  Frug 700 

SAND  AND  STARS — S.  Frug 700 

THE  FALSE  HOPE — Horace  M.  Kallen 701 

OUT  OF  THE  DEPTHS — Joseph  Jasin 702 

xl 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

As  THE  STARS  AND  THE  SANDS — S.  Frug    (translated  by 

Joseph  Jasin)  703 

"...  WHOM  You  ARE  TO  BLAME" — P.  M.  Raskin 704 

SIDE  BY  SIDE — Isabella  R.  Hess 706 

THE  YOUNG  RABBI — E.  C.  L.  Browne 707 

"  .  .  .  AND  GIVE  THEE  PEACE" — Florence  Weisberg....  708 

TWENTY-ONE  YEARS  OF  RESCUE  WORK — Alice  Lucas 708 

A  CALL  TO  ISRAEL — Cora  Wilburn 709 

MEDITATIONS  AT  TWILIGHT — Joseph  Leiser 711 

THE  NEW  JEWISH  HOSPITAL  AT  HAMBURG — Heinrich 

Heine  712 

THE  ROSE  OF  SHARON — Harry  Weiss 713 

THE  AGE  OF  TOLERATION — Arthur  Upton 715 

INTOLERANCE — Ray  Trum  Nathan  715 

THEY  TELL  ME — Ezekiel  Leavitt  (translated  by  Alice 

Stone  Blackwell)  716 

GIFTS — Emma  Lazarus 717 

HEBREW  CRADLE  SONG — Ezekiel  Leavitt  (translated  by 

Alice  Stone  Blackwell) 718 

JEWISH  LULLABY — Eugene  Field  719 

PATRIOTISM — Translated  by  Robert  Needham  Cust 720 

OPTIMISM — /.  Z.  Josephson  721 

To  MY  LYRE — Joseph  M  asset 721 

To  WALTER  LIONEL  DE  ROTHSCHILD  ON  His  BAR  MITZVAH 

— Louis  B.  Abrahams  721 

SONNET — Canon  Jenkins  722 

SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE — E.  Yancey  Cohen 722 

SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE — Miriam  Del  Banco 723 

SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE — Punch  723 

SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE — Louis  Meycrhardt 724 

SIR  MOSES  MONTEFIORE — Ambrose  Bierce  724 

JESSE  SELIGMAN — Noah  Davis 725 

BENJAMIN  ARTOM — Re  Henry 726 

AARON  LEVY  GREEN — Anonymous  . . . 727 

BARONESS  DE  ROTHSCHILD — Emily  Marion  Harris 727 

BENJAMIN  DISRAELI,  EARL  OF  BEACONSFIELD — Punch....  728 

PEACE — AND  HONOR — Herman  C.  Merivale 730 

LEOPOLD  ZUNZ — J.  F 732 

MORITZ  STEINSCHNEIDER — George  Alexander  Kohut 732 

SIMEON  SINGER — John  Chapman  733 

MY  FATHER'S  BIBLE — George  Alexander  Kohut 734 

DAVID  KAUFMANN — George  Alexander  Kohut 735 

GUSTAV  GOTTHEIL — George  Alexander  Kohut 735 

SONNET—  George  Alexander  Kohut 736 

SOLOMON  SCHECHTER — Alter  Abelson 736 

EMMA  LAZARUS — Richard  Watson  Gilder 737 

EMMA  LAZARUS — Richard  Watson  Gilder 738 

UNDER  No  SKIES  BUT  OURS — Helen  Gray  Cone 738 

EMMA  LAZARUS — Allan  Eastman  Cross 741- 

xli 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EMMA  LAZARUS — Mlnot  Judson  Savage 742 

EMMA  LAZARUS — James  Maurice   Thompson 742 

EMMA  LAZARUS — Henry  Cohen 743 

JOSEPH  JOACHIM — Robert  Bridges  744 

FREDERIC   DAVID   MOCATTA — James  Mew 744 

MRS.  ELLIS  A.  FRANKLIN — Anonymous 745 

OSCAR  COHEN — H.  B.  Gayfer 745 

LEO  N.  LEVI — George  Alexander  Kohut 746 

ESTHER  J.  RUSKAY — George  Alexander  Kohut 746 

JOSEPH  MAYOR  ASHER — George  Alexander  Kohut 747 

Louis   LOEB — Louis   Marshall    747 

JOSEF  ISRAELS — Ellas  Lieberman   748 

PHEDRE — Oscar  Wilde  749 

MAYER  SULZBERGER — Felix  N.  Gerson 749 

ISAAC  M.  WISE— Walter  Hurt   751 

ISAAC  M.  WISE — Ida   Goldsmith  Morris 752 

ISAAC  M.  WISE — Edna  Dean  Proctor 753 

ISAAC  M.  WISE — Harry   Weiss    754 

ISAAC  M.  WISE — Albert  Frank  Hoffmann 755 

IDA  STRAUS — Alter  Abelson   757 

IDA  STRAUS — Bernard   Gruenstein    757 

IDA  STRAUS — Anne  P.  L.  Field 758 

IDA  STRAUS — Solomon  Solis  Cohen 758 

IDA  STRAUS — Corinne  Roosevelt  Robinson 759 

JULIA  RICHMAN — Helen   Gray   Cone 759 

MYER   DAVIS — Isaac   Lazaroivich 760 

SIMON  WOLF — Felix  N.   Gerson 760 

To  SIMON   WOLF — George  Alexander  Kohut 761 

To  SIMON  WOLF  ON  His  EIGHTIETH  BIRTHDAY — George 
Alexander  Kohut   761 


VIII.    IN    LIGHTER   VEIN 

THE  STAMP  OF  CIVILIZATION — Max  Nordau    (translated 

hJ-  F.)  765 

CONFIDENCE — Max  Nordau  (translated  by  J.  F.) 765 

EIN  URALTER  SPRUCH — Heinrich  Heine 765 

THE  VISION  OF  His  PEOPLE — Leon  Gordon 766 

ISRAELITE — Santob  de  Carrion 766 

BETWEEN  Two  STOOLS — John  Heath  767 

THE  RABBI'S  PRESENT — Anonymous  767 

AN  EPITAPH — Ben  Jacob  (translated  by  Joseph  Chotz- 

ner)  767 

ALL  THINGS  TO  ALL  MEN — Ben  Joseph  Palguera 

(translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner) 768 

THE  MISER — Ben  Zed  (translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner)  768 
THE  WIFE'S  TREASURE — Sabine  Baring-Gould 768 

xlii 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

WATER  SONG — Solomon  Ibn  Gabriol  (translated  by 

Israel  Abrahams}  770 

WATER  SONG — Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (translated  by 

Joseph  Chotzner}  771 

WINE  SONG — Judah  Al-Harizi  (translated  by  I.  A.} 772 

THE  BALLAD  OF  EPHRON,  PRINCE  OF  TOPERS — Immanuel 
Ben  Solomon  of  Rome  (translated  by  Solomon 
Soils  Cohen]  773 

INDEX  TO  FIRST  LINES  779 

INDEX  TO  TITLES    796 

INDEX  TO  AUTHORS    814 

INDEX  TO  TRANSLATORS   .  .  820 


xliii 


I 

BIBLICAL    AND    POST- 
BIBLICAL 


The  Bible 

PHIS  book — this  holy  book,  on  every  line 
•*        Marked  with  the  seal  of  high  divinity, 
On  every  leaf  bedew'd  with  drops  of  love 
Divine;  .  .  .  this  ray  of  sacred  light, 
This  lamp  from  off  the  everlasting  throne 
Mercy  took  down,  and  in  the  night  of  Time 
Stood  .  .  .  evermore  beseeching  men  with  tears 
And  earnest  sighs,  to  read,  believe  and  live. 

ANONYMOUS. 

The  Bible 

\   AMP  of  my  feet,  whereby  we  trace 
Our  path,  when  wont  to  stray ! 
Stream  from  the  fount  of  heavenly  grace 
Brook  by  the  traveller's  way ! 

Bread  of  our  souls,  whereon  we  feed, 

True  manna  from  on  high ! 
Our  guide  and  chart,  wherein  we  read 

Of  realms  beyond  the  sky. 

Pillar  of  fire  through  watches  dark, 

Or  radiant  cloud  by  day ! 
When  wraves  would  whelm  our  tossing  bark, 

Our  anchor  and  our  stay! 

RICHARD  BARTON. 

The  Bible 

A  S  to  an  ancient  temple 
•**•       Whose  vast  proportions  tower 
With  summit  inaccessible 
Among  the  stars  of  Heaven  ; 
While  the  resistless  Ocean 
Of  peoples  and  of  cities 
Breaks  at  its  feet  in  foam, 
Work  that  a  hundred  ages 
Hallow;  I  bow  to  Thee. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

From  out  thy  mighty  bosom 
Rise  hymns  sublime,  and  melodies 
Like  to  the  Heavens  singing 
Praises  to  their  Creator; 
While  at  the  sound,  an  ecstasy, 
A  trance,  fills  all  my  being 
With  terror  and  with  awe- — 
I  feel  my  proud  heart  thrilling 
With  throbs  of  holy  pride. 

• 

Oh!  come,  Thou  high,  beneficent 
Heritage  of  my  fathers, 
Our  country,  altar,  prophet! 
Thou  art  our  all,  Thou  only. 
Through  doubt,  through  pain,  through  outrage, 
Through  pangs  of  dissolution 
Wringing  our  tortured  hearts; 
Come,  open  the  rosy  portals 
Of  hope  to  us  once  more ! 

In  Thee,  eternal,  limitless, 
The  Earth  is  bound  to  Heaven; 
The  ages  in  immensity 
Are  one  in  Thine  infinity; 
Rapt  by  Thy  power,  the  Spirit 
Springs  ever  high  and  higher 
Through  care  and  grief  and  love, 
Groans  in  mysterious  ecstasy, 
Exults  in  bitter  pain. 

Idylls  of  love  and  tenderness, 
Home  joys  and  pure  affections, 
Voices  of  Hope  unconquered 
By  torture  or  by  agony, 
Austere  and  fruitful  suffering, 
Terror  and  doubt  and  faith, 
Oh!   for  the  whole  Creation 
A  voice  is  found  in  Thee. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


Like  an  inspired  Sibyl 
Thou  thunderest  in  anger, 
Tyre,  Babylon,  demolished, 
Vanish  with  throne  and  altar; 
Thou  singest,  Heaven  lets  open, 
Mankind  awakes  to  harmony 
And  holy  truth  and  peace; 
Like  blessed  springs  descending, 
Thou  fillest  all  the  world. 


Ah  me !  what  countless  miseries, 
What  tears  all  unregarded 
Hast  Thou  consoled  and  softened 
With  gentle  voice  and  holy! 
How  many  hearts  that  struggle 
With  doubt,  remorse,  anxiety, 
With  all  the  woes  of  ages, 
Dost  Thou,  on  ample  pinions, 
Lift  purified  to  Heaven! 


i  ia 

DAVID  LEVI. 


The  Light  and  Glory  of  the  World 

PHE  Spirit  breathes  upon  the  word, 
And  brings  the  truth  to  sight; 
Precepts  and  promises  afford 
A  sanctifying  light. 

A  glory  gilds  the  sacred  page, 

Majestic  like  the  sun ; 
It  gives  a  light  to  every  age, — 

It  gives,  but  borrows  none. 

The  hand  that  gave  it  still  supplies 
The  gracious  light  and  heat; 

His  truths  upon  the  nations  rise, — 
They  rise,  but  never  set. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Let  everlasting  thanks  be  thine, 

For  such  a  bright  display, 
As  makes  a  world  of  darkness  shine 

With  beams  of  heavenly  day. 

*  *  * 

WILLIAM  COWPER. 


The  Bible 

DLESSED  Bible!  how  I  love  it! 

How  it  doth  my  bosom  cheer! 
What  hath  earth  like  this  to  covet  ? 

O,  what  stores  of  wealth  are  here! 
Man  was  lost  and  doomed  to  sorrow; 

Not  one  ray  of  light  or  bliss 
Could  he  from  earth's  treasures  borrow, 

'Till  his  way  was  cheered  by  this  ? 

Yes,  I'll  to  my  bosom  press  thee, 

Precious  Word,  I'll  hide  thee  here; 
Sure  my  very  heart  will  bless  thee, 

For  thou  ever  sayest  "good  cheer": 
Speak,  my  heart,  and  tell  thy  ponderings, 

Tell  how  far  thy  rovings  led, 
When  This  Book  brought  back  thy  wanderings, 

Speaking  life  as  from  the  dead. 

Yes,  sweet  Bible!  I  will  hide  thee 

Deep,  yes,  deeper  in  this  heart; 
Thou,  through  all  my  life  will  guide  me, 

And  in  death  we  will  not  part. 
Part  in  death?     No!  never!  never! 

Through  death's  vale  I'll  lean  on  thee; 
Then,  in  worlds  above,  for  ever, 

Sweeter  still  thy  truths  shall  be! 

PHOEBE  PALMER. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


The  Written  Word 

HTHE  starry  firmament  on  high, 
*•        And  all  the  glories  of  the  sky, 
Yet  shine  not  to  Thy  praise,  O  Lord, 
So  brightly  as  Thy  written  word. 

The  hopes  that  holy  word  supplies, 
Its  truths  divine  and  precepts  wise, 
In  each  a  heavenly  beam  I  see, 
And  every  beam  conducts  to  Thee. 

When,  taught  by  painful  proof  to  know 
That  all  is  vanity  below, 
The  sinner  roams  from  comfort  far, 
And  looks  in  vain  for  sun  or  star; 

Soft  gleaming  then  those  lights  divine, 
Through  all  the  cheerless  darkness  shine, 
And  sweetly  to  the  ravished  eye 
Disclose  the  dayspring  from  on  high. 

Almighty  Lord,  the  .sun  shall  fail, 
The  moon  forget  her  nightly  tale, 
And  deepest  silence  hush  on  high, 
The  radiant  chorus  of  the  sky; 

But,  fixed  for  everlasting  years, 
Unmoved  amid  the  wreck  of  spheres, 
Thy  word  shall  shine  in  cloudless  day, 
When  heaven  and  earth  have  passed  away. 

SIR  ROBERT  GRANT. 


The  Book  of  God 

thoughts  are  here,  my  God, 
Expressed  in  words  divine, 
The  utterance  of  heavenly  lips 
In  every  sacred  Fine. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Across  the  ages  they 

Have  reached  us  from  afar, 
Than  the  bright  gold  more  golden  they, 

Purer  than  purest  star. 

More  durable  they  stand 

Than  the  eternal  hills; 
Far  sweeter  and  more  musical 

Than  music  of  earth's  rills. 

Fairer  in  their  fair  hues, 

Than  the  fresh  flowers  of  earth, 

More  fragrant  than  the  fragrant  climes 
Where  odors  have  their  birth. 

Each  word  of  thine  a  gem 

From  the  celestial  mines, 
A  sunbeam  from  that  holy  heaven 

Where  holy  sunlight  shines. 

Thine,  Thine,  this  book,  though  given 
In  man's  poor  human  speech, 

Telling  of  things  unseen,  unheard, 
Beyond  all  human  reach. 

No  strength  it  craves  or  needs, 
From  this  world's  wisdom  vain; 

No  filling  up  from  human  wells, 
Or  sublunary  rain. 

No  light  from  sons  of  time, 

Nor  brilliance  from  its  gold; 
It  sparkles  with  its  own  glad  light, 

As  in  the  ages  old. 

A  thousand  hammers  keen, 

With  fiery  force  and  strain, 
Brought  down  on  it  in  rage  and  hate, 

Have  struck  this  gem  in  vain. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Against  this  sea-swept  rock, 
Ten  thousand  storms  their  will 

Of  foam  and  rage  have  wildly  spent; 
It  lifts  its  calm  face  still. 

It  standeth  and  will  stand, 

Without  or  change  or  age, 
The  word  of  majesty  and  light, 

The  church's  heritage. 

HORATIUS    BONAR. 

i    A 

« 

The  Old  Book 

BOOK  of  books,  and  friend  of  friends  alone, 

How  deep  the  debt  of  gratitude  to  thee! 
For  every  human  ill  thou  hast  a  charm, 
With  fragrance  fresh  as  in  Judaean  days. 
How  clear  the  message  that  thy  pages  bring 
To  rich  and  poor,  to  old  and  young  the  same, 
Forever  sounding  'mid  the  centuries: — 
That  God's  our  father,  tender,  just  and  true, 
And  we  His  children  all,  both  bond  and  free 
Though  clouds  and  darkness  meet  us  on  the  way, 
Thy  radiant  light  is  ever  shining  there. 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 


Israel  and  His  Book 

A  N  age-worn  wanderer,  pale  with  thought  and  tears, 

^"^       With  heart  heroic  and  prophetic  look, 

Comes  clasping  to  his  breast  the  Sacred  Book — 

The  amulet  of  Israel  through  the  years! 

"Behold!"  he  says,  "through  ages  dark  with  fears, 
Through  travail  and  through  miseries  that  shook 
The  soul  of  Judah,  this  he  ne'er  forsook. 

It  is  his  Book! — Therein  his  God  appears!" 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

His  Book!  more  glorious  with  supernal  light 
Than  all  the  beacons  reared  by  mortal  hands 

Since  time  first  lisped  its  anguish  in  the  night. 
His  Book!     That  gave  a  God  to  all  the  lands; 

Whose  pages  shall  through  us  again  reveal 

The  wondrous  promise  grief  could  not  conceal ! 

FELIX  N.  GERSON. 


The  Ha'  Bible 

AH,  I  could  worship  thee! 
Thou  art  a  gift  a  God  of  love  might  give; 
For  love  and  hope  and  joy 

In  thy  Almighty-written  pages  live; — 
The  slave  who  reads  shall  never  crouch  again ; 
For,  mind-inspired  by  thee,  he  bursts  his  feeble  chain! 

God!  unto  thee  I  kneel, 

And  thank  thee!     Thou  unto  my  native  land — 
Yea,  to  the  outspread  earth — 

Hast  stretched  in  love  thy  everlasting  hand, 
And  thou  hast  given  earth,  and  sea,  and  air — 
Yea,  all  that  heart  can  ask  of  good  and  pure  and  fair ! 

And,  Father,  thou  hast  spread 

Before  men's  eyes  this  charter  of  the  free, 
That  all  thy  book  might  read, 

And  justice,  love,  and  truth,  and  liberty. 
The  gift  was  unto  men, — the  giver,  God ! 
Thou  slave !  it  stamps  thee  man, — go  spurn  thy  weary 
load! 

Thou  doubly  precious  book! 

Unto  thy  light  what  does  not  Scotland  owe: — 
Thou  teachest  age  to  die, 

And  youth  in  truth  unsullied  up  to  grow  5 
In  lowly  homes  a  comforter  art  thou, — 
A  sunbeam  sent  from  God, — an  everlasting  bow! 

ROBERT  NICOLL, 

8 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


Fullness  of  the  Bible 

THERE  is  a  lamp  whose  steady  light 

Guides  the  poor  traveller  in  the  night : — 
'Tis  God's  own  word !     Its  beaming  ray 
Can  turn  a  midnight  into  day. 

There  is  a  storehouse  of  rich  fare, 
Supplied  with  plenty  and  to  spare: — 
'Tis  God's  own  word!  it  spreads  a  feast 
For  every  hungering,  thirsting  guest. 

There  is  a  chart  whose  tracings  show 
The  onward  course  when  tempests  blow : — 
'Tis  God's  own  word !     There,  there  is  found 
Direction  for  the  homeward  bound. 

There  is  a  tree  whose  leaves  impart 
Health  to  the  burdened,  contrite  heart : — 
'Tis  God's  own  word !     It  cures  of  sin, 
And  makes  the  guilty  conscience  clean. 

Give  me  this  lamp  to  light  my  road ; 
This  storehouse  for  my  daily  food; 
Give  me  this  chart  for  life's  rough  sea; 
These  healing  leaves,  this  heavenly  tree. 

H.  J  BETTS. 


Inspiration  of  the  Bible 

HENCE,  but  from  Heaven,  could  men  unskill'd 

in  arts, 

In  several  ages  born,  in  several  parts, 
Weave  such  agreeing  truths?  or  how,  or  why, 
Should  all  conspire  to  treat  us  with  a  lie? 
Unask'd  their  pains,  ungrateful  their  advice, 
Starving  their  gain,  and  martyrdom  their  price. 

If  on  the  bock  itself  we  cast  our  view, 
Concurrent  heathens  prove  the  story  true: 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  doctrine,  miracles;  which  must  convince, 
For  Heaven  in  them  appeals  to  human  sense; 
And  though  they  prove  not  they  confirm  the  cause, 
When  what  is  taught  agrees  with  nature's  laws. 

Therefore  the  style,  majestic  and  divine, 

It  speaks  no  less  than  God  in  every  line : 

Commanding  words;  whose  force  is  still  the  same 

As  the  first  fiat  that  produc'd  our  frame. 

All  faiths  beside,  or  did  by  arms  ascend ; 

Or  sense  indulg'd  has  made  mankind  their  friend : 

This  only  doctrine  does  our  lusts  oppose: 
Unfed  by  nature's  soil,  in  which  it  grows ; 
Cross  to  our  interests,  curbing  sense  and  sin; 
Oppress'd  without,  and  undermin'd  within, 
It  thrives  through  pain ;  its  own  tormentors  tires, 
And  with  a  stubborn  patience  still  aspires. 

JOHN  DRYDEN. 


Contents  of  the  Bible 

TF  thou  art  merry,  here  are  airs; 
*       If  melancholy,   here  are  prayers; 
If  studious,  here  are  those  things  writ 
Which  may  deserve  thy  ablest  wit  ; 
If  hungry,  here  is  food  divine; 
If  thirsty,  nectar,  heavenly  wine. 

Read,  then;  but,  first,  thyself  prepare 
To  read  with  zeal  and  mark  with  care ; 
And  when  thou  read'st  what  here  is  writ, 
Let  thy  best  practice  second  it; 
So  twice  each  precept  read  shall  be — 
First  in  the  book,  and  next  in  thee. 

PETER  HEYLYN. 


10 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Esteeming  the  Bible 

TTHIS  holy  book  I'd  rather  own, 
Than  all  the  gold  and  gems 
That   e'er   in   monarchs'   coffers   shone, 
Than  all  their  diadems. 

Nay,  were  the  seas  one  chrysolite, 

The  earth  one  golden  ball, 
And  diadems  all  the  stars  of  night, 

This  book  outweighs  them  all. 

Ah,  no,  the  soul  ne'er  found  relief 

In  glittering  hoards  of  wealth ; 
Gems  dazzle  not  the  eye  of  grief, 

Gold  cannot  purchase  health. 

But  here  a  blessed  balm  appears 

To  heal  the  deepest  woe, 
And  those  who  read  this  book  in  tears, 

Their  tears  shall  cease  to  flow. 

HORATIUS    BONAR. 

Judah's  Hallowed  Bards 

I    ET  those  who  will  hang  rapturously  o'er 
*-J       The  flowing  eloquence  of   Plato's  page; 
Repeat,  with  flashing  eyes,  the  sounds  that  pour 

From  Homer's  verse  as  with  a  torrent's  rage,; 
Let  those  who  list  ask  8ully  to  assuage     T^xJLpT  i 

Wild  hearts  with  high-wrought  periods,  and  'restore 
The  reign  of  rhetoric;  or  maxims  sage 

Winnow  from  Seneca's  sententious  lore,     . 
Not  these,  but  Judah's  hallowed  bards,  to  me 
Are  dear:  Isaiah's  noble  energy; 
The  temperate  grief  of  Job;  the   artless  strain 

Of  Ruth  and  pastoral  Amos;  the  high  songs 

Of  David;  and  the  tale  of  Joseph's  wrongs. 
Simply,   pathetic,  eloquently  plain. 

AUBREY  DE  VERB. 

ii 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


O 


The  Poets  of  Old  Israel 

LD  Israel's  readers  of  the  stars, 
I  love  them  best.     Musing,  they  read, 
In  embers  of  the  heavenly  hearth, 
High  truths  were  never  learned  below. 
They   asked   not  of   the   barren   sands, 
They  questioned  not  that  stretch  of  death; 
But  upward  from  the  humble  tent 
They  took  the  stairway  of  the  hills; 
Upward  they  climbed,  bold  in  their  trust, 
To  pluck  the  glory  of  the  stars, 
Faith   falters,   knowledge   does  not  know, 
Fast,  one  by  one,  the  phantoms  fade ; 
But  that  strange  light,   unwavering  love, 
Grasped  from  the  lowered  hand  of  God, 
Abides,  quenchless  forevermore. 

JOHN  VANCE  CHENEY. 


One  of  the  earliest  specimens  of  English  verse  writ- 
ten by  an  English-born  Jew  addressed  to  Daniel  Israel 
Lopez  Laguna,  who  published  in  1720  a  metrical 
translation  of  the  Psalms  in  Spanish  under  the  title 
"Espejo  fiet  de  Vidas." 

On   Translating  the  Psalms 

T  TOW  great  thy  Thoughts,  how  Glorious  thy  De- 
signs, 

How  every  Musick  varies  in  thy  Lines; 
The  Praise  of  God  in  every  Verse  is  found, 
Art  strengthening  Nature.  Sense  improv'd  by  Sound ; 
Your  strains  are  Regularly  Bold  and  Please, 
With  unforst  Care  and  unaffected  Ease: 
Whene'er  I  look  in  thy  Delightful  Page, 
The  Godly  Verse  my  busy  Thoughts  engage, 
And  David's  Psalms  so  Perfect  does  appear 
True  to  the  Sense,  Harmonious  to  the  Ear. 

12 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Happy  the  Man  who  strings  his  tuneful  Lyre, 
That  like  King  David's  Harp,  it  do's  Inspire: 
Thrice  Happy  thee  and  Worthiest  to  Dwell, 
Amongst  those  Precepts  thou  hast  Sung  so  well  ; 
Your  Wondrous  Song  with  Raptures  I  Rehearse, 
Then  ask  who  wrought  this  Miracle  of  Verse: 
Triumph  LAGUNA  with  Immortal  Lays 
'Tis  you  alone  that  do's  Deserve  this  Praise: 
'Tis  you  alone  could  chuse  so  great  a  Theme, 
That  all  the  world  in  Duty  must  Esteem. 

SAMPSON  GUIDEON,  JR. 


To  God 

THOU,  the  One  supreme  o'er  all! 

For  by  what  other  name 
May  we  upon  thy  greatness  call, 
Or  celebrate  thy  fame? 

Ineffable!  to  thee  what  speech 

Can  hymns  of  honor  raise? 
Ineffable!  what  tongue  can  reach 

The  measure  of  thy  praise? 

How,  unapproached,  shall  mind  of  man 
Descry  Thy  dazzling  throne, 

And  pierce  and  find  thee  out,  and  scan 
Where  thou  dost  dwell  alone  ? 

Unuttered  thou!  all  uttered  things 
Have  had  their  birth  from  thee  ; 

The  one  unknown !  from  thee  the  springs 
Of  all  we  know  and  see ! 

And  all  things,  as  they  move  along 

In  order  fixed  by  thee, 
Thy  watchword  heed,  in  silent  song 

Hymning  thy  majesty. 

13 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  lo !  all  things  abide  in  thee, 
And  through  the  complex  whole, 

Thou  spread'st  thine  own  divinity, 
Thyself  of  all  the  goal. 

One  being  thou,  all  things,  yet  none, 

Nor  one  nor  yet  all  things; 
How  call  thee,  O  mysterious  One  ? 

A  worthy  name,  who  brings? 

All-named  from  attributes  thine  own, 

How  call  thee  as  we  ought  ? 
Thou  art  unlimited,  alone, 

Beyond  the  range  of  thought. 

GREGORY  NANZIANZEN. 
(Translated  by  Allen  W.  Chatfield). 


Thou  Art  of  All  Created  Things 

HTHOU  art  of  all  created  things, 

O  Lord,  the  essence  and  the  cause, 
The  source  and  centre  of  all  bliss; 
What  are  those  veils  of  woven  light 
Where  sun  and  moon  and  stars  unite, 
The  purple  morn,  the  spangled  night, 
But  curtains  which  thy  mercy  draws 
Between  the  heavenly  world  and  this? 
The  terrors  of  the  sea  and  land — 
When  all  the  elements  conspire, 
The  earth  and  water,  storm  and  fire — 
Are  but  the  sketches  of  thy  hand; 
Do  they  not  all  in  countless  ways — 
The  lightning's  flash,  the  howling  storm, 
The  dread  volcano's  awful  blaze — 
Proclaim  Thy  glory  and  Thy  praise? 

CALDERON. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  Seeing  Eye 

""THERE  is  an  eye  that  never  sleeps 
•*•        Beneath  the  wing  of  night; 
There  is  an  ear  that  never  shuts 

When  sink  the  beams  of  sight; 
There  is  an  arm  that  never  tires 

When  human  strength  gives  way ; 
There  is  a  love  that  never  fails 

When  earthly  loves  decay. 
That  eye  is  fix'd  on  seraph  throngs, 
That  ear  is  filled  with  angels'  songs, 
That  arm  upholds  the  worlds  on  high, 
That  Love  is  throned  beyond  the  sky. 

REGINALD  HEBER. 


O  Thou  Eternal  One! 

THOU  Eternal  One!  whose  presence  bright 

All  space  doth  occupy,  all  motion  guide : 
Unchanged  through  time's  all-devastating  flight  ; 

Thou  only  God!     There  is  no  God  beside! 
Being  above  all  beings !  mighty  One ! 

Whom  none  can  comprehend  and  none  explore; 
Who  fill'st  existence  with  Thyself  alone: 
Embracing  all,  supporting,  ruling  o'er, — 
Being  whom  we  call  God,  and  know  no  more ! 

GABRIEL  ROMANOVITCH  DERZHAVIN. 
Translated  by  SIR  JOHN  BOWRING. 

The  Infinity  of  God 

coward  soul  is  mine, 

No  trembler  in  the  world's  storm-troubled  sphere: 
I  see  Heaven's  glories  shine, 

And  faith  shines  equal,  arming  me  from  fear. 

15 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  God  within  my  breast, 

Almighty,  ever-present  Deity! 
Life — that   in   me   has   rest, 

As  I — undying  Life — have  power  in  Thee ! 

Vain  .are  the  thousand  creeds 

That  move  men's  hearts:  unutterably  vain; 
Worthless  as  withered  weeds, 

Or  idle  froth  amid  the  boundless  main. 

To  waken  doubt  in  one 

Holding  so  fast  by  Thine  infinity; 
So  surely  anchored   on 

The  steadfast  rock  of  immortality. 

With  wide-embracing  love 

Thy  spirit  animates  eternal  years, 
Pervades  and  broods  above, 

Changes,  sustains,  dissolves,  creates,  and  rears. 

Though  earth  and  man  were  gone, 

And  suns  and  universes  ceased  to  be, 
And  Thou  were  left  alone, 

Every  existence  would  exist  in  Thee. 

There  is  not  room  for  Death, 

Nor  atom  that  his  might  could  render  void : 
Thou — Thou  art  Being  and  Breath, 

And  what  Thou  art  may  never  be  destroyed. 

EMILY  BRONTE. 


Adoration 

T  LOVE  my  God,  but  with  no  love  of  mine, 

For  I  have  none  to  give  ; 
I  love  thee,  Lord,  but  all  the  love  is  thine, 

For  by  thy  life  I  live. 
I  am  as  nothing,  and  rejoice  to  be 

Emptied  and  lost  and  swallowed  up  in  thee. 

16 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Thou,  Lord,  alone  art  all  thy  children  need, 

And  there  is  none  beside; 
From  thee  the  streams  of  blessedness  proceed; 

In  thee  the  blest  abide. 
Fountain  of  life,  and  all-abounding  grace, 
Our  source,  our  centre,  and  our  dwelling-place! 

MADAME  GUYON. 


"Whither  Shall  I  Go?" 

T  CANNOT  find  thee!  still  on  restless  pinion 
•*•       My  spirit  beats  the  void  where  thou  dost  dwell; 
I  wander  lost  through  all  thy  vast  dominion, 
And  shrink  beneath  thy  light  ineffable. 

I  cannot  know  thee!  even  when  most  adoring 

Before  thy  shrine  I  bend  in  lowliest  prayer; 
Beyond  these  bounds  of  thought,  my  thought  upsoar- 

ing> 
From  further  quest  comes  back;  thou  art  not  there. 

Yet  high  above  the  limits  of  my  seeing 
And  folded  far  within  the  inmost  heart, 

And  deep  below  the  deeps  of  conscience  being, 
Thy  splendor  shineth  ;  there,  O  God,  thou  art. 

I  cannot  lose  thee;  still  in  thee  abiding 

The  end  is  clear,   How  wide  so'er  I  roam  ; 

The  law  that  holds  the  worlds  my  steps  is  guiding. 
And  I  must  rest  at  last  in  thee,  my  home. 

ELIZA  SCUDDER. 


Creation's  Psalm 

A  DEEP-BASSED  thunder-rolling  psalm 
**•    Sweeps  thro'  the  reeded  throat  of  Time, 

And  charms  the  ear  of  every  clime 
With  music  of  the  great  "I  Am." 

17 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

It  drags  the  planets  in  their  orbs, 

And  smites  the  sun,  and  shakes  the  stars, 
And  strikes  the  rocky-bedded  bars, 

And  beats  about  the  aerial  curbs! 

Creation  chants  the  nameless  Name, 
The  winging  worlds  in  chorus  ring; 
The  great  lands  shout;  the  huge  seas  sing; 

The  thundering  heavens  roar,  "I  Am!" 

SWITHIN  SAINT  SWITHAINE. 


Making  of  Man 

AL-MUZAWWIR!  the  "Fashioner!"  say  thus; 
Still  lauding  Him  who  hath  compounded  us: 
When  the  Lord  would  fashion  men, 

Spake  He  in  the  Angels'  hearing, 
"Lo !     Our  will  is  there  shall  be 

On  the  earth  a  creature  Bearing 
Rule  and  royalty.     Today 
We  will  shape  a  man  from  clay." 

• 
Spake  the  Angels,  "Wilt  Thou  make 

Man  who  must  forget  his  Maker, 
Working  evil,  shedding  blood, 

Of  Thy  precepts  the  forsaker? 
But  Thou  knowest  all,  and  we 
Celebrate  Thy  majesty." 

Answered  Allah,  "Yea!  I  know 
What  ye  know  not  of  this  making ; 
Gabriel !     Michael !     Israfel ! 
Go  down  to  the  earth,  and  taking 

Seven  clods  of  colors  seven, 

Bring  them  unto  Me  in  Heaven. 

18 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Then  those  holy  Angels  three, 

Spread  their  pinions  and  descended; 

Seeking  clods  of  diverse  clay, 

That  all  colors  might  be  blended; 

Yellow,  tawny,  dun,  black,  brown, 

White  and  red  as  men  are  known. 

But  the  earth  spake  sore  afraid, 

"Angels!  of  my  substance  take  not, 

Give  me  back  my  dust  and  pray 
That  the  dread  Creator  make  not 

Man,  for  he  will  sin  and  bring 

Wrath  on  me  and  suffering." 

Therefore,  empty-handed  came 

Gabriel,  Michael,  Israfel, 
Saying,  "Lord !  Thy  earth  imploreth 

Man  may  never  on  her  dwell ; 
He  will  sin  and  anger  Thee, 
Give  me  back  my  clay!"  cried  she. 

Spake  the  Lord  to  Azrael, 

"Go  thou,  who  of  wing  art  surest, 

Tell  my  earth  this  shall  be  well ; 

Bring  those  clods,  which  thou  procurest 

From  her  bosom,  unto  Me; 

Shape  them  as  I  order  thee." 

Thus  tis  written  how  the  Lord 

Fashioned  Adam  for  His  glory, 
Whom  the  Angels  worshipped, 

All  save  Iblis;  and  this  story 
Teacheth  wherefore  Azrael  saith 
"Come  thou !"  at  man's  hour  of  death. 

EDWIN  ARNOLD. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Adam  and  Eve 
(From  "Paradise  Lost") 
PWO  of  far  nobler  shape,  erect  and  tall, 
•*         Godlike  erect,  with  native  honor  clad, 
In  naked  majesty  seemed  lords  of  all: 
And  worthy  seemed;  for  in  their  looks  divine 
The   image  of   their   glorious   Maker  shone. 
Truth,  wisdom,  sanctitude  severe  and  pure, 
(Severe,  but  in  true  filial  freedom  placed), 
Whence  true  authority  in  men ;  though  both 
Not  equal,  as  their  sex  not  equal  seemed; 
For  contemplation  he  and  valor  formed ; 
For  softness  she  and  sweet  attractive  grace; 
He  for  God  only,  she  for  God  in  him. 

JOHN  MILTON. 

Adam  to  Eve 
(From  "Paradise  Lost") 
C\   FAIREST  of  creation,  last  and  best 
^^      Of  all  God's  works,  creature  in  whom  excelled 
Whatever  can  to  sight  or  thought  be  formed 
Holy,  divine,  good,  amiable,  or  sweet. 

JOHN  MILTON. 
Eve 

17  OR  the  first  time  a  lovely  scene 

Earth  saw  and  smiled, 
A  gentle  form  with  pallid  mien 
Bending  o'er  a  new-born  child ; 
The  pang,  the  anguish,  and  the  woe 
That  speech  hath  never  told, 
Fled,  as  the  sun  with  noontide  glow 
Dissolves  the  snow-wreath  cold, 
Leaving  the  bliss  that  none  but  mothers  know; 
While  he,   the  partner  of  her  heaven-taught  joy 
Knelt  in  adoring  praise  beside  his  beauteous  boy. 
She,  first  of  all  our  mortal  race, 
Learn'd  the  ecstasy  to  trace 

20 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  expanding  form  of  infant  grace 

From  her  own  life-spring  fed; 

To  mark  each  radiant  hour, 

Heaven's  sculpture  still  more  perfect  growing, 

More  full  of  power; 

The  little  foot's  elastic  tread, 

The  rounded  cheek,  like  rose-bud  glowing, 

The  fringed  eye  with  gladness  flowing 

As  the  pure,  blue  fountains  roll; 

And  then  those  lisping  sounds  to  hear, 

Unfolding  to  her  thrilling  ear 

The  strange,  mysterious,  never-dying  soul, 

And  with  delight  intense 

To  watch  the  angel-smile  of  sleeping  innocence. 

No  more  she  mourned  lost  Eden's  joy, 
Or  wept  her  cherish'd  flowers, 
In  their  primeval  bowers 
By  wrecking  tempests  riven; 
The  thorn  and  thistle  of  the  exile's  lot 
She  heeded  not. 

So  all-absorbing  was  her  sweet  employ 
To    rear    the    incipient   man,    the   gift    her    God    had 
given. 

And  when  his  boyhood  bold 

A  richer  beauty  caught, 

Her  kindling  glance  of  pleasure  told 

The  incense  of  her  idol-thought; 

Not  for  the  born  of  clay 

Is  pride's  exulting  thrill, 

Dark  herald  of  the  downward  way, 

And  ominous  of  ill. 

Even  his  cradled  brother's  smile 

The  haughty  first-born  jealously  survey'd 

And  envy  marked  the  brow  with  hate  and  guile, 

In  God's  own  image  made. 

LYDIA  HUNTLEY  SIGOURNEY. 
21 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF-JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Rainbow 

RIGHT  pledge  of  peace  and  sunshine!  the  surety 

Of  thy  Lord's  hand,   the  object  of  His  eye! 
When  I  behold  thee,  though  my  light  be  dim, 
Distant  and  low,   I  can  in  thine  see  Him 
Who   looks   upon    thee    from    His   glorious   throne, 
And  minds  the  Covenant  'twixt  All  and  One. 

FELICIA  HEMANS. 


DOW  of  beauty,   arching  o'er  us,   tinted  with  un- 

earthly  dyes, 

Stealing  silently  before  us  on  the  cloud  of  stormy  skies; 
In  the  beaming  radiance  seeming,   like  an  angel-path 

from  heaven; 
Or   a   vision    to   our   dreaming,   of   some   fairy   fabric 

given. 

Thou  art  Mercy's  emblem,   brightly  smiling  through 
an  angry  frown ; 

Fairer   for   the   gloom,   as   nightly  glow   the   gems   in 
Ether's  crown. 

And   when   wrath   is   darkest   glooming   on   the   coun- 
tenance  divine, 

Love's  and  Mercy's  light  assuming,  like  the  rainbow 
it  doth  shine. 

HENRY  VAUGHAN. 

Translation  of  the  Patriarch 
(Genesis  v.  24.) 

"MO  tombstone  saw  they  there, 

No  sepulchre's  pallid  gleam  ; 

But   a  quiver  went   through   the  blue   bright  air, 
Like  a  thrill  of  a  glorious  dream. 

22 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

And  the  stately  palm  trees  bowed, 

By  old  Euphrates'  tide; 
And   the   deep   sky   glowed,    like   a   burning   cloud, 

Or  a  spirit  glorified. 
When  the  good  old  Patriarch's  footsteps  trod 

The  sapphire  pavements,  that  lead  to  God. 
Where  was  he,  when  the  gates 

Of  Heaven  were  opened  wide? 
Praying  alone,  like  one  that  waits, 

By  Tigris'  sacred  tide. 
Or  by  some  lonely  shore 

Where  the  hollow  echo  dwells, 
And  sounding  sea  beats  evermore, 

'Mid    rocks   and   strange   bright  shells? 
Or  chanting  God's  praises,  with  happy  cheer, 

When   the  songs  of   the   angels  broke   on   his  ear? 
And   the  gray  Chaldean  plains 

With    a   golden    radiance   shone, 
As  Earth  caught  full  the  light  that  reigns 

Beside  the  Eternal  Throne. 
Far  off,  and  low,  she  heard 

The  flow  of  Life's  bright  stream 
And  the  music  of  strange  sweet  melodies 

That  haunts  her  like  a  dream ; 
And   only  God's  angels,   with   solemn   eye, 

Saw  the  glorious  pageant  passing  by. 
And  still  the  rocks  frown  high,    ' 

Amid  the  shadows  lone — 
But  their  echoes  nevermore  reply 

To  the  sweet  angelic  tone; 
And  an  awful  mystery  fills 

That  land  of  unknown  graves, 
And  ever  thrills  the  solemn  hills 

That  guard  Euphrates'  waves; 
But  the  word  of  God  through  ages  dim, 
Reveals  how  Enoch  went  home  to   Him. 

LUCY  A.  RANDALL. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Abraham  and  His  Gods 

DENEATH   the   full-eyed   Syrian  moon, 

The  Patriarch,  lost  in  reverence,  raised 
His  consecrated  head,   and  soon 

He  knelt  and  worshipped  while  he  gazed: 
"Surely  that  glorious  Orb  on  high 
Must  be  the  Lord  of  earth  and  sky." 

Slowly  towards  its  central  throne 
The  glory  rose,  yet  paused  not  there 

But  seemed  by  influence   not  its  own 

Drawn  downwards  through  the  western  air 

Until  it  wholly  sunk  away, 

And  the  soft  Stars  had  all  the  sway. 

Then  to  the  hierarchy  of  light. 

With   face  upturned   the  sage  remained — •> 
"At  least  Ye  stand  forever  bright — 

Your  power  has  never  waxed  or  waned !" 
Even  while  he  spoke,  their  work  was  done 
Drowned  in  the  overflowing  Sun. 

Eastward  he  bent  his  eager  eyes — 

"Creatures  of  Night!  false  gods  and  frail! 

Take   not   the   worship   of   the   wise ; 
There  is  the  Deity  we  hail. 

Fountain  of  light,  and  warmth,  and  love 

He  only  bears  our  hearts  above." 

Yet  was  that  One — that  radiant  One 
Who  seemed  so  absolute  a  King, 

Only  ordained  his  round  to  run 
And  pass  like  each  created  thing; 

He  rested  not  in  noonday  prime 

But  fell  beneath  the  strength  of  time. 

Then   like  one  laboring  without  hope 
To  bring  his  toil  to  fruitful  end, 

And  powerless  to  discern  the  scope 
Whereto  his  aspirations  tend, 

24 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Still  Abraham  prayed  day  and  night 
"God!    Teach  me  to  what  God  to  pray." 

Nor  long  in  vain;  an  inward  Light 

Arose  to  which  the  sun  is  pale. 
The  knowledge  of  the  Infinite, 

The  sense  of  Truth   that  must  prevail: — 
The  presence  of  the  only  Lord 
By  angels  and  by  men  adored. 

RICHARD  MONCKTON  MILNES 
(Lord  Hough  ton). 

; 

Abraham 

[  WILL  sing  a  song  of  heroes, 

Crowned  with  manhood's  diadem, 
Men  that  lift  us  when  we  love  them 
Into  nobler  life  with   them. 

I  will  sing  a  song  of  heroes 

To   their   God-sent  mission   true, 

From  the  ruin  of  the  old  time 
Grandly  forth  to  shape  the  new: 

Men  that,  like  a  strong-winged  zephyr, 
Come  with   freshness  and  with   power, 

Bracing  fearful  hearts  to  grapple 
With  the  problem  of  the  hour: 

Men  whose  prophet-voice  of  warning 
Stirs   the    dull,    and    spurs   the   slow, 

Till  the  big  heart  of  a  people 
Swells  with  hopeful  overflow. 

I  will  sing  the  song  of  Terah, 

Abraham  in  tented  state, 
With  his  sheep  and  goats  and  asses, 

Bearing  high  behests  from  Fate; 

25 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Journeying  from  beyond  Euphrates, 
Where  cool  Orfa's  bubbling  well 

Lured   the  Greek  and   lured   the   Roman, 
By   its  verdurous    fringe   to    dwell. 

When  he  left  the  flaming  idols, 
Sun  by  day  and  Moon  by  night, 

To  believe  in  something  deeper 

Than  the  shows  that  brush  the  sight, 

And,   as  a  traveller  wisely  trusteth 
To  a  practiced   guide  and   true, 

So   he   owned  the  Voice  that  called  him 
From  the  faithless  Heathen  crew. 

And   he   travelled    from    Damascus 
Southward   where   the   torrent    tide 

Of  the  sons  of  Ammon  mingles 
With  the  Jordan's  swelling  pride. 

To  the  pleasant  land   of   Schechem, 
To  the  flowered  and  fragrant  ground 

'Twixt  Mount  Ebal  and  Gerizim, 
Where   the  bubbling  wells   abound. 

To  the  stony  slopes  of  Bethel, 
And  to  Hebron's  greening  glade, 

Where  the  grapes  with  weighty  fruitage 
Droop   beneath   the  leafy   shade. 

And  he  pitched  his   tent  in   Mamre, 
'Neath  an  oak-tree  tall  and  broad 

And  with   pious  care  an   altar 

Built   there    to    the   one   true   God. 

And   the  voice  of  God  came  near  him, 

And  the  angels  of  the  Lord 
'Neath  the  broad  and  leafy  oak-tree 

Knew  his  hospitable  board; 

26 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL     pg 

And   they   hailed   him   with   rare   blessing 

For   all    peoples    richly   stored, 
Father  of  the  faithful,   elect 

Friend  of  God,  Almighty  Lord. 

And   he  sojourned   'mid   the  people 
With  high  heart  and  weighty  arm, 

Wise   to    rein    their   wandering  worship, 
Strong  to  shield  their  homes  from  harm. 

And  fat  Nile's  proud  Pharaohs  owned  him, 

As  a  strong,  God-favored  man, 
Like   Osiris  casting   broadly 

Largess  to   the  human  clan. 

And  he  lived  long  years  a  witness 
To    a    pure    high-thoughted    creed, 

That   in    ripeness   of   the    ages 

Grew   to   serve   our   mortal    need. 

Not  a  priest  and  not  va  churchman 
From  all  proud  pretentions  free, 

Shepherd  chief  and  shepherd-warrior 
Human-faced  like  you  and  me: 

Human-faced   and    human-hearted, 

To  the  pure  religion  true, 
Purer   than    the   gay   and    sensuous 

Grecian,   wider  than   the  Jew. 

Common  sire,  whom  Jew  and  Christian, 
Turk    and    Arab,    name    and    praise ; 

Common  as  the  sun  that  shines 

On  East  and  West  with  brothered   rays. 

JOHN   STUART  BLACKIE. 
<fb  oJnu 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The    Tent    of   Abraham 

THE  shadows  of  an  Eastern  day 
*     Lengthened  along  the  sandy  way, 

When,  toiling  faint  and  lone, 
An  aged  wanderer  crossed  the  plain, 
As  -if  his  every  step  were  pain, 

His  every  breath  a  groan! 
Till  Abraham's  tent  appeared  in  view, 
And  slowly  towards  his  rest  he  drew. 

And  Abraham  met  his  wayworn  look 
With  pity,  for  the  old  man  shook 

With  years  at  every  tread  ; 
For  he  the  wrinkled  impress  bore 
Of  full  one  hundred  years  or  more 

Upon  his  silver  head ; 
Then  Abraham  washed  his  aching  feet, 
Assuaged  their  pain,  and  brought  him  meat. 

You  should  have  known  the  burning  glare 
Of  soil  and  sun,  and  sultry  air, 

To  tell  how  sweet  the  draught 
That  blessed  those  lips  so  parched  and  old; 
Oh!  water — not  a  world  of  gold 

Could  buy  that  joy  he  quaffed! 
You  should  have  toiled  the  burning  waste, 
To  taste  how  sweetly  food  can  taste! 

But  Abraham  saw  with  deep  amaze 
The  old  man's  strange  and  godless  ways; 

For  ere  he  bent  to  eat, 
Nor  praise  nor  thanks  he  uttered  there, 
Nor  raised  his  grateful  eyes  in  prayer 

To  God  who  sent  him  meat; 
Sudden  he  sat,  in  eager  mood, 
And  called  no  blessing  on  the  food ! 

"Ownest  thou  not  the  God  of  Heaven, 
That  unto  thee  these  things  hath  given?" 

28 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Said  Abraham  in  his  ire; 
He  answered,  "Five-score  years  I've  trod, 
Yet  worshipped  but  one  only  God, — 

The  eternal  God  of  Fire!" 
And  Abraham,  wroth,  his  anger  spent, 
And  thrust  him,  storming,  from  his  tent. 

An  Eastern  night  is  dread  to  bear — 
There's  fever  in  the  sickly  air, 

And  evils  few  can  speak 

Save  those  whose  wandering  lives  have  known 
The  perils  'mid  the  desert  thrown, 

Or  heard  the  tempest's  shriek; 
Yet  pitiless,  from  out  his  sight, 
Stern  Abraham  cast  him  to  the  night. 

Then  there  was  sudden  awe  on  Night — 
The  pale  West  quivered  with  wild  light — 

The  stars  apart  were  thrown ; 
And  all  the  air  around  the  sky 
Seemed  like  a  glory  hung  on  high, — 

A  gleam  of  worlds  unknown; 
And  from  that  glory  high  installed, 
A  voice — God's  voice — to  Abraham  called: 

"Why  went  this  stranger  from  thy  board?" 
And  Abraham  answered,  "Know,  O  Lord, 

That  he  denied  Thy  name; 
Neither  would  worship  Thee,  nor  bless; 
So  forth,  unto  the  wilderness, 

I  drove  him,  in  his  shame!" 
And  God  said,  "If  I  still  allow 
Peace  to  his  errors,  couldst  not  thou? 

"If  I,  these  hundred  years,  have  borne 
The  wanderer's  sin,  neglect,  and  scorn, 

Yet  ne'er  did  vengeance  seek, 
How  is't  that  thou,  for  one  poor  night, 
Couldst  bear  him  not  within  thy  sight? 

Look  up  to  Me,  and  speak!" 

29 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Then  towards  the  Voice,  with  trembling  steps  he  trod, 
And  Abraham  stood  rebuked  before  his  God. 

CHARLES  SWAIN. 

The  Ballade  of  Dead  Cities 

YW'HERE  are  the  cities  of  the  plain,? 
W      And  where  the  shrines  of  rapt  Bethel? 
And  Calah  built  of  Tubal-Cain? 

And  Shinar  whence  King  Amraphel 
Came  out  in  arms  and  fought,  and  fell, 

Decoyed  into  the  pits  of  slime 
By  Siddim  and  sent  sheer  to  hell; 

Where  are  the  cities  of  old  time? 

Where  now  is  Karnak,  that  great  fane, 

With  granite  built,  a  miracle? 
And  Luxor  smooth  without  a  stain, 

Whose  graven  scripture  still  we  spell? 
The  jackal  and  the  owl  may  tell; 

Dark  snakes  around  their  ruins  climb, 
They  fade  like  echo  in  a  shell ; 

Where  are  the  cities  of  old  time? 

And  where  is  white  Shushan,  again, 

Where  Vashti's  beauty  bore  the  bell, 
And  all  the  Jewish  oil  and  grain 

Were  brought  to  Mithridath  to  sell, 
Where  Nehemiah  would  not  dwell, 

Because   another  town   sublime 
Decoyed  him  with  her  oracle? 

Where  are  the  cities  of  old  time? 

Envoi 
Prince,  with  a  dolorous,  ceaseless  knell, 

Above  their  wasted  toil  and  crime 
The  waters  of  oblivion  swell: 

Where  are  the  cities  of  old  time? 

EDMUND  GOSSE. 

30 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Ha  gar 

I    ONE  in  the  wilderness,  her  child  and  she, 
*"•      Sits  the  dark  beauty,  and  her  fierce-eyed  boy. 
A  heavy  burden  and  no  winsome  toy 
To  such   as  she,   a  hanging  babe  must  be.     > 
A  slave  without  a  master — wild,  nor  free, 
With   anger   in   her  heart!   and   in   her   face 
Shame  for  foul  wrong  and  undeserved  disgrace, 
Poor  Hagar  mourns  her  lost  virginity! 
Poor  woman  fear  not — God  is  everywhere; 
The  silent  tears,   thy  thirsty  infant's  moan, 
Are  known  to   Him  whose  never-absent  care 
Still  wakes  to  make  all  hearts  and  souls  his  own; 
He  sends  an  angel   from  beneath   his   throne 
To  cheer  the  outcast  in  the  desert  bare. 

HARTLEY  COLERIDGE. 


The   Meeting   of  Isaac  and  Rebecca 

\Y7HO  is  this  man  that  walketh  in  the  field, 

O  Eleazer,  steward   to  my  lord? 
And  Eleazer  answered  her  and  said, 
Daughter  of  Bethuel,  it  is  other  none 
But  my  lord  Isaac,  son  unto  my  lord. 
Who  as  his  wont  is,  walketh  in  the  field, 
In  the  hour  of  evening  meditating  there. 

Therefore   Rebekah   hasted   where   she   sat, 
And  from  her  camel  'lighting  to  the  earth, 
Sought  for  a  veil  and  put  it  on  her  face. 

But  Isaac  also,   walking  in   the  field, 
Saw  from  afar  a  company  that  came, 
Camels,  and  a  seat  as  where  a  woman  sat ; 
Wherefore  he  came  and  met  them  on  the  way. 
Whom,  when  Rebekah  saw,  she  came  before 
Saying,   Behold  the  handmaiden  of  my  lord, 
Who,  for  my  lord's  sake  travel  from  my  land. 

31 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

But  he  said,  O  them  blessed  of  our  God, 
Come,  for  the  tent  is  eager  for  thy  face. 
Shall  not  thy  husband  be  unto  thee  more  than 
Hundreds  of  kinsmen  living  in,  thy  land? 

And  Eleazer  answered:  Thus  and  thus, 
Even  according  as  thy  father  bade, 
Did  we;  and  thus  and  thus  it  came  to  pass: 
Lo!  is  not  this  Rebekah,  Bethuel's  child? 
And  as  he  ended,  Isaac  spoke  and  said, 
Surely  my  heart  went  with  you  on  the  way 
When  with  the  beasts  ye  came  unto  the  place. 

Truly,  O  child  of  Nahor,  I  was  there 
When  to  my  mother  and  my  mother's  son 
Thou  madest  answer,  saying,  I  will  go. 
And  Isaac  brought  her  to  her  mother's  tent. 

ARTHUR  HUGH  CLOUGH. 


Jacob's  Dream 

(Genesis  xxviii.    10-12) 

',  pilgrim,  halting  on  the  rock-strewn  sod 
To  thee  this  Bethel  vision  still  appears! 
The  golden  ladder  of  the  love  of  God 

Shines   on   the  weary   eyes,    all   wet   with   tears. 

He  leads  thee  on  by  ways  thou  hast  not  known, 

He  bids  thee  rest  in  desert  stillness  deep, 
He  gives  thee  pillows  of  the  barren  stone; 

And  lo!     His  angels  dawn  upon  thy  sleep. 

• 
He  shows  thee  how  Eternal  Love  unites 

Thy  sin-marred  earth  with  His  own  sphere  of  bliss 
And  sends  His  bright  ones  from  their  radiant  heights, 

Laden  with  blessings  from  that  world  to  this. 

32 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Thy  solitude  is  no  darkness  unto   Him, 
The  solitudes  are  peopled  with  His  host 

Close  the  dim  eye,  and  rest  the  wayworn  limb — 
The  Lord  is  near  when  thou  dost  need  Him  most. 

S.  D. 

Pillow  and  Stone 

TJPON  a  stone  in  olden  time 
^        A  wanderer  sank  to  rest. 
A  wondrous  vision  soothed  his  heart 
How  strangely  was  he  blessed ! 

The  arched  sky  was  his  coverlet, 
The  night-wind  cradle  song; 

A  ladder  mounted  heavenward 
Which  bore  an  angel  throng. 

Ah,  in  these  sober  days  of  ours 
When  we  soft  close  our  eyes, 

No  lofty  ladder  climbs  above, 
No  angel  hosts  arise. 

And  tho  our  bed  be  richly  draped 

And  royal  fares  our  own, 
For  oft  we  waken  unrefreshed — 

The  pillow's  changed  to  stone! 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 

Beth-el 

\.    RUGGED  stone, 

•**       For  centuries  neglected  and  alone, — 
Its  destiny  unknown. 

The  tide  of  light 

Sped  o'er  it,  and  the  breakers  of  the  night, 
In  alternating  flight. 

33 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  it  was  wet 

With  twilight  dew,  the  sacramental  sweat 
That  mystic  dreams  beget. 

There  Jacob  lay, 

Dark  struggling,  till  the  wrestler,  white  as  day 
Brake  from  his  arms  away. 

Upon  the  sod 

A  pillow;  then,  by  countless  angels  trod, 
A  stepping  stone  to  God. 

JOHN  B.  TABB. 


As  Jacob  Served  for  Rachel 

WAS  the  love  that  lightened  service! 

The  old,  old  story  sweet 
That  yearning  lips  and  waiting  hearts 

In  melody  repeat. 
As  Jacob  served  for  Rachel 

Beneath  the  Syrian  sky, 
Like  the  golden  sands  that  swiftly  drop 
The  toiling  years  went  by. 

Chill  fell  the  dews  upon  him, 

Fierce  smote  the  sultry  sun; 
But  what  were  cold  and  heat  to  him, 

Till  that  dear  wife  was  won! 
The  angels  whispered  in  his  ear 

"Be  patient  and  be  strong!" 
And  the  thought  of  her  he  waited  for 

Was  ever  like  a  song. 

Sweet  Rachel,  with  the  secret 

To  hold  a  brave  man  leal ; 
To  keep  him  through  the  changeful  years 

Her  own  in  woe  and  weal ; 

34 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

So  that  in  age  and  exile, 

The  death  damp  on  his  face, 
Her  name  to  the  dark  valley  lent 

Its  own  peculiar  grace. 

And  "There  I  buried  Rachel," 

He  said  of  that  lone  spot 
In  Ephrath,  near  to  Bethlehem, 

Where  the  wife  he  loved  was  not; 
For  God  has  taken  from  him 

The  brightness  and  the  zest, 
And  the  heaven  above  thenceforward  kept 

In  fee  his  very  best. 

Of  the  love  that  lightens  service, 

Dear  God,  how  much  we  see, 
When  the  father  toils  the  livelong  day 

For  the  children  at  his  knee ; 
When  all  night  the  mother  wakes, 

Nor  deem  the  vigil  hard, 
The  rose  of  health  on  sick  one's  cheek, 

Her  happy  heart's  reward. 

The  love  that  lightens  service 

The  fisherman  can  tell, 
When  he  wrests  the  bread  his  dear  ones  eat 

Where  the  bitter  surges  swell; 
And  the  farmer  in  the  furrow, 

The  merchant  in  the  mart, 
Count  little  worth  their  weary  toil 

For  the  treasures  of  the  heart. 

As  Jacob  served  for  Rachel 

Beneath  the  Syrian  sky, 
And  the  golden  sands  of  toiling  years 

Went  swiftly  slipping  by, 
The  thought  of  her  was  music 

To  cheer  his  weary  feet, 
'Twas  love  that  lightened  service, 

The  old,  old  story  sweet.       AxONYMOUS> 

35 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Mizpah 

"The  Lord  watch  between  me  and  thee  when  we 
are  absent  from  each  other." — Gen.  xxxi.  49. 

ABROAD  gold  band  engraven 
^With  word  of  Holy  Writ 
A  ring,  the  bond  and  token, 

Which  love  and  prayer  hath  lit, 
When  absent  from  each  other 

O'er  mountain,  vale  and  sea, 
The  Lord,  who  guarded  Israel, 
Keeps  watch  'tween  me  and  thee. 

Through  days  of  light  and  gladness, 

Through  days  of  love  and  life, 
Through  smiles,  and  joy,  and  sunshine, 

Through  days  with  beauty  rife; 
When  absent  from  each  other, 

O'er  mountain,  vale,  and  sea, 
The  Lord  of  love  and  gladness, 

Keep  watch  'tween  me  and  thee. 

Through   days  of  doubt  and  darkness, 

In  fear  and  trembling  breath; 
Through  mists  of  sin  and  sorrow, 

In  tears,  and  grief  and  death, 
The  Lord  of  life  and  glory, 

The  King  of  earth  and  sea, 
The  Lord  who  guarded  Israel, 

Keep  watch  'tween  me  and  thee. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Israel 

WHEN  by  Jabbok  the  patriarch  waited 
To  learn  on   the  morrow  his  doom 
And  his  dubious  spirit  debated 
In  darkness  and  silence  and  gloom, 

36 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

There  descended  a  Being  with  whom 

He  wrestled  in  agony  sore, 

With  striving  of  heart  and  of  brawn, 

And  not  for  an  instant  forbore 

Till  the  east  gave  a  threat  of  the  dawn; 

And  then,  the  Awful  One  blessed  him  ; 

To  his  lips  and  his  spirit  there  came, 

Compelled  by  the  doubts  that  oppressed  him, 

The  cry  that  through  questioning  ages 

Has  been  rung  from  the  hinds  and  the  sages, 

"Tell  me,  I  pray  Thee,  Thy  name!" 
Most  fatal,  most  futile  of  questions! 
Wherever  the  heart  of  man  beats, 
In  the  spirits'  most  sacred  retreats, 
It  comes  with  its  sombre  suggestions 
Unanswered  forever  and  aye. 
The  blessing  may  come  and  may  stay, 
For  the  wrestler's  heroic  endeavor; 
But  the  question,  unheeded  forever, 
Dies  out  in  the  broadening  day. 


In  the  ages  before  our  traditions, 

By  the  altars  of  dark  superstitions, 

The  imperious  question  has  come ; 

When  the  death-stricken  victim  lay  sobbing 

At  the  feet  of  his  slayer  and  priest, 

And  his  heart  was  laid  smoking  and  throbbing 

To  the  sound  of  the  cymbal  and  drum 

On  the  steps  of  the  high  Teocallis; 

When  the  delicate  Greek  at  his  feast 

Poured  forth  the  red  wine  from  his  chalice 

With  mocking  and  cynical  prayer  ; 

When  by  Nile  Egypt  worshipping  lay, 

And  afar  through  the  rosy,  flushed  air 

The  Memnon  called  out  to  the  day; 

Where  the  Muezzin's  cry  floats  from  his  spire ; 

In  the  vaulted  Cathedral's  dim  shades, 

Where  the  crushed  hearts  of  thousands  aspire 


37 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Through  art's  highest  miracle  higher, 
This  question  of  questions  invades 
Each  heart  bowed  in  worship  or  shame; 
In  the  air  where  the  censers  are  swinging, 
A  voice,  going  up  with  the  singing, 
Cries,  "Tell  me  I  pray  Thee  Thy  name." 
No  answer  came  back,  not  a  word, 
To  the  patriarch  there  by  the  ford ; 
No  answer  has  come  through  the  ages 
To  the  poets,  the  seers  and  the  sages 
Who  have  sought  in  the  secrets  of  science 
The  name  or  the  nature  of  God, 
Whether  crushing  in  desperate  defiance 
Or  kissing  his  absolute  rod ; 
But  the  answer  which  was  and  shall  be, 
"My  name!     Nay,  what  is  it  to  thee?" 
The  search   and   the   question   are  vain. 
By  use  of  the  strength  that  is  in  you, 
By  wrestling  of  soul  and  of  sinew 
The  blessing  of  God  you  may  gain. 
There  are  lights  in  the  far-gleaming  Heaven 
That  never  shall  shine  on  our  eyes; 
To  mortals  it  may  not  be  given 
To  range  those  inviolate  skies. 
The  mind,  whether  praying  or  scorning, 
That  tempts  those  dread  secrets  shall  fail; 
But  strive  through  the  night  till  the  morning, 

And  mightily  thou  shait  prevail.        T 

JOHN  HAY. 


The  Cry  of  Rachel 

I  STAND  in  the  dark;  I  beat  on  the  floor, 
Let  me  in,  Death. 
Through  the  storm  am  I  come ;  I  find  you  before : 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

For  him  that  is  sweet,  and  for  him  that  is  small, 
I  beat  on  the  door,  I  cry,  and  I  call : 
Let  me  in,  Death. 

38 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

For  he  was  my  bow  of  the  almond-tree  fair: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 
You  brake  it;  it  whitens  no  more  by  the  stair: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

For  he  was  my  lamp  in  the  House  of  the  Lord; 
You  quenched,  and  left  me  this  dark  and  the  sword : 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

I  that  was  rich  do  ask  you  for  alms: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 
I  that  was  full,  uplift  your  stripped  palms: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

Back  to  me  now  give  the  child  that  I  had; 
Cast  into  mine  arms  my  little  sweet  lad: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

Are  you  grown  so  deaf  that  you  cannot  hear? 

Let  me  in,  Death. 
Unclose  the  dim  eye,  and  unstop  the  ear: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

I  will  call  so  loud,  I  will  cry  so  sore, 
You  must  for  shame's  sake  come  open  the  door: 

Let  me  in,  Death. 

LIZETTE  WORDSWORTH  REESE. 


Dirge  of  Rachel 

A  ND  Rachel  lies  in  Ephrath's  land, 
**•       Beneath  her  lonely  oak  of  weeping; 
With  mouldering  heart  and  withering  hand, 
The  sleep  of  death  forever  sleeping. 

The  spring  comes  smiling  down  the  vale, 
The  lilacs  and  the  roses  bringing; 

But  Rachel  never  more  shall  hail 

The  flowers  that  in  the  world  are  springing. 

39 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  summer  gives  his  radiant  day, 

And  Jewish  dames  the  dance  are  treading; 

But  Rachel,  on  her  couch  of  clay, 
Sleeps  all  unheeded   and   unheeding. 

The  autumn's  ripening  sunbeam  shines, 
And  reapers  to  the  field  is  calling; 

But  Rachel's  voice  no  longer  joins 
The  choral  song  at  twilight's  falling. 

The  winter  sends  his  drenching  shower, 
And  sweeps  his  howling  blast  around  her, 

But  earthly  storms  possess  no  power 

To  break  the  slumber  that  hath  bound  her. 

WILLIAM  KNOX. 


Moses 

THRONES  that  stood  and  realms  that  flour- 
ished, 

Races   that  have   ruled   the  world, — 
They   have   fallen,    they   have   perished, 

And  new  standards  are  unfurled. 
Gods  are  banished  at  whose  altars 
Nations   have   been   wont   to   pray, 
And  where  Wisdom  erst  held  sway 
Ignorance  supinely  falters. 

Deeds  that  once  with  blare  and  clangor 

Filled  the  earth,  have  ceased  to  be; 
Even  their  renown  no  longer 

Lives  in  lays  of  minstrelsy. 
Lo!  the  hero's  might  is  broken 

And  his  sword  is  gone  to  rust; 

Lips  are  steeped  in  death  and  dust 
That  have  sweetly  sung  and  spoken. 

40 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

But  athwart  the  gulf  of  ages 

From  whose  all-devouring  deep 
Songs  of  bards  and  words  of  sages 

Mist  like  in  tradition   sweep, — 
Radiant  and   serene  reposes, 

Unattained  by  mist  and  gloom, 

Undiminished  by  the  tomb, 
A  colossal  image — Moses. 

Though  we  wot  not  of  his  feature, 
Of  such  ken  there  is  no  need, 

For  his  aspect  is  the  creature 

Of  his  word  and  of  his  deed, — 

Of  the  word  that  is  engraven 
Even  on  the  soul  that's  lost 
Of  the  deed  that  led  his  host 

Toward  freedom,  truth  and  Heaven. 

Thus  we  see  him;  Superhuman 

In  his  purpose  and   in  might, 
Tender  is  his  love  as  woman, 

Fierce  in  the  defense  of  right; 
Meek  and   faltering,  yet  compliant, 

In  the  presence  of  the  Lord, — 

In  obedience  of  his  word 
Bold,  unyielding  and  defiant. 

Even  as  the  luminary 

Of  our  days  from  fumous  height — 
Lifeless,  barren,  solitary — 

Beams  with  life  diffusing  light; 
So  he  rises  on  our  vision 

From  the  past  which  phantoms  shroud, 

Life-impregnate,   halo-browed, 
In  the  garb  of  his  tradition. 

What  he  wrought  and  what  he  uttered, 
Where  he  trod  and  where  he  stood; 

Where   the  flaming  briar  fluttered 
In  the  desert's  solitude; 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

At  the  throne  of  him  who  trifled 
With  the  wrath  revealed  of  God, 
And   where   with   uplifted   rod 

The  pursuing  hosts  he  stifled; 

On  that  pilgrimage  unequaled 

When  he  smote  the  barren  rock, 
Or  by  marvel  or  decree  quelled 

Ingrate  murmurs  of  his  flock; 
When  from  Sinai,  rent  with  thunder, 

He   descended   with    the    Law: — 

Thrills  with  reverential  awe 
And  compels  transcendent  wonder. 

As  he  lived  so  was  his  passing 

Self-obscuring,  tranquil,  grand, 
As  with   eyes   that   death   was   glassing 

He  beheld  the  promised  land — 
Did   he  ween   as  on   that  mountain 

He  expired  meek  and  brave, 
That  while  man  still  man  would  be, 
Far  into  eternity, 

He  would  look  on  Moses'  grave 
As   his   birthright's   sacred    fountain? 

N.  N. 


Rescue  of  Moses 

IN  Judah's  halls  the  harp  is  hushed, 
*•       Her  voice  is  but  the  voice  of  pain ; 
The  heathen  heel  her  helms  has  crushed, 

Her  spirit  wears  the  heathen  chain. 
From  the  dark  prison-house  she  cried, 

"How  long,  O  Lord,  Thy  sword  has  slept! 
Oh,  quell  the  oppressor  in  his  pride!" 

Still  Pharoah  ruled,  and  Israel  wept. 

The  morning  breezes  freshly  blow, 
The  waves  in  golden  sunlight  quiver; 

42 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  Hebrew's  daughter  wanders  slow 

Beside  the  mighty  idol  river. 
A  babe  within  her  bosom  lay; 

And  must  she  plunge  him  in  the  deep? 
She  raised  her  eyes  to  heaven  to  pray; 

She  turned  them  down  to  earth  to  weep. 

She  knelt  beside  the  rushing  tide, 

Mid  rushes  dark  and  flow'rets  wild; 
Beneath  the  plane-tree's  shadow  wide, 

The  weeping  mother  placed  her  child. 
"Peace  be  around  thee,  though  thy  bed 

A  mother's  breast  no  more  may  be ; 
Yet  He  that  shields  the  lily's  head, 

Deserted  babe,  will  watch  o'er  thee!" 

She's  gone!  that  mourning  mother!  gone. 

List  to  the  sound  of  dancing  feet, 
And  lightly  bounding,  one  by  one, 

A  lovely  train  the  timbrels  beat. 
'Tis  she  of  Egypt:  Pharoah's  daughter, 

That  with  her  maidens  come  to  lave 

He  r     i  •  i 

er  form  of  beauty  in  the  water, 

And  light  with  beauty's  glance  the  wave. 

The  monarch's  daughter  saw  and  wept; 

(How  lovely  falls  compassion's  tear!) 
The  babe  that  there  in  quiet  slept, 

Blest  in  unconsciousness  of  fear. 
'Twas  hers  to  pity  and  to  aid 

The  infant  chief,  the  infant  sage; 
Undying  fame  the  deed  repaid, 

Recorded  upon  heaven's  own  page. 

Years  pass  away,  the  land  is  free! 

Daughter  of  Zion !  mourn  no  more ! 
The  oppressor's  hand  is  weak  on  thee, 

Captivity's  dark  reign  is  o'er. 

43 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thy  chains  are  burst ;  thy  bonds  are  riven ; 

On!  like  a  river  strong  and  wide: 
A  captain  is  to  Judah  given — 

The  babe  that  slept  by  Nile's  broad  tide. 

ANONYMOUS. 


The   Young  Moses 


PHE  world  was  at  his  feet  .  .  . 

*     But  overhead,  the  stars! 
From    Luxor's    roof   he   saw    their    light   on    pillared 

Karnak  fall, 

And  knew  what  gods  and  ghosts  of  monarchs 
Alien  to  his  blood 

Kept  guard  among  the  shadows  there  ... 
While  far  upon  the  breathing  plain 
Hushed  Memnon  brooded,  holding  at  his  heart 
A  golden  cry  that  trembled  for  the  dawn  .  .  . 
Upon   a   temple's   roof   at  Thebes  the  young   Moses 

stood 
In  commune  with  his  dreams  .  .  . 

A  kingdom  at  his  feet  .  .  . 

Fostered  of  Pharaoh's  daughter, 

And  a  Prince  in  Egypt: 

In   statecraft,   priestcraft,   lifecraft,  skilled: 

Wise  in  his  youth,   and  strong,  and  conscious  of  his 

powers : 
Dowered  with  the  patience  and  the  passion  that  are 

genius : 

Ambitious,  favored,  subtle,  sure  and  swift — 
Already  Prince  in  Egypt ! 
And  later,  anything  he  willed  .  .  . 
Fledged  early,  with  a  soaring  instinct  in  his  wings. 

He  mused,  and  for  an  infinite  moment 

All  the  world  streamed  by  him  in  a  mist  .  .  . 

44 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Cities  and  ships  and  nations, 

Temples  and  armies,  melted  to  a  mist,  and  swirling 

past  beneath  the  stars: 
And  a  faint  tumult  filled  his  ears  of  trumpets  and 

the  clash  of  brazen  arms, 

The  wind  and  sound  of  empire, 

And  he  felt  the  mighty  pulse  of  his  own  thought  and 
will  transmuted  to  the  tread  of  marching  hosts 

That  shook  the  granite  hills, 

And  saw  chained  kings  cringe  by  his  chariots,  lion- 
drawn  .  .  . 

And  felt  himself  on  Seti's  throne  and  crowned  with 
Seti's  crown, 

And  all  earth's  rhythms  beating  to  his  sense  of  law, 

And  half  earth's  purple  blood,  if  so  he  would,  poured 
out  to  dye  his  robes  with  deeper  splendor  .  .  . 

And  all  the  iron  delight  of  power  was  his  ... 

This  Egypt  was  a  weapon  to  his  hand, 

This  life  was  buoyant  air,  and  his  the  eagle's  plume. 

For  one  measureless  moment  this  vision  moved  and 
glittered, 

Rushing  by  ... 

Master  of  men  he  knew  himself ;  he  thrilled  ; 

There  an  empire  at  his  feet. 


But  overhead,  a  God  .  .  . 

Implacable  divinity  that,  as  he  looked,  was  of  a  sud- 
den manifest 

In  all  the  burning  stars  .  .  . 

Relentless,  searching  spirit, 

Cruel  holiness  that  smote  him  with  the  agony  of  love, 

Stern  sweetness  piercing  to  the  soul, 

Silence  articulate  that  turned  the  universe  to  one  un- 
spoken word, 

Violent  serenity  that  plucked  at  his  roots  of  being  .  .  . 

And  a  voice  that  answered  him  before  he  questioned 
it  ... 

45 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

For  one  eternal  instant  Moses  stood, 
The  cup  of  empire  lifted  to  his  lips, 
And  struggled  with  the  God  that  is  not  if  we  are  not 
He.  .  . 

And  then  .  .  .  descended  from  the  temple's  roof, 

And  cast  his  princely  trappings  off, 

And  took  his  slow  way  through  the  shadowed  town 

Unto   the   quarter   where  an   outcast  people   and   op- 
pressed 

Labored  beneath  the  lash 

And  put  their  lives  and  hopes  into  the  bricks  because 
there  was  no  straw, 

And  cast  his  lot  in  with  those  sickly  slaves, 

To  lead  them,  if  he  might,  from  bondage  .  .  . 

ANONYMOUS. 


Moses 

I  WILL  sing  high-hearted  Moses 

By  the  Nile's  sweet-watered  stream, 
In  the  land  of  strange  taskmasters, 
Brooding  o'er  the  patriot  theme. 

Brooding  o'er  the  bright  green  valleys 
Of  his  dear-loved  Hebrew  home, 

Whence  the  eager  pinch  of  Famine 
Forced  the  Patriarch  to  roam. 

Brooding  o'er  his  people's  burdens, 
Lifting  vengeful  arm  to  smite, 

When  he  saw  the  harsh  Egyptian 
Stint  the  Hebrew  of  his  right. 

Brooding  far  in  lonely  places, 
Where  on  holy  ground  unshod, 

He  beheld  the  bush  that  burned 
With  consuming  flame  from  God. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Saw,  and  heard,  and  owned  the  mission 
With  his  outstretched  prophet-rod, 

To  stir  plagues  upon  the  Pharoah, 
Scorner  of  the  most  high  God. 

God,  who  brought  His  folk  triumphant 
From  the  strange  taskmaster  free, 

And  merged  the  Memphians,  horse  and  rider, 
In  the  deep  throat  of  the  sea. 

Then  uprose  the  song  of  triumph, 
Harp  and  timbrel,  song  and  dance, 

And  with  firm  set  will  the  hero 
Led  the  perilous  advance. 

And  he  led  them  through  the  desert 

As  a  shepherd  leads  his  flock, 
Breaking  spears  with  cursed  Amalek, 

Striking  water  from  the  rock. 

And  he  led  them  to  Mount  Sinai's 
High-embattled  rock;  and  there, 

'Mid  thick  clouds  of  smoke  and  thunder, 
Like  trumpet  clave  the  air. 

To  the  topmost  peak  he  mounted, 
And  with  reverent  awe  unshod, 

As  a  man  with  men  discourseth, 
So  he  there  communed  with  God. 

Not  in  wild  ecstatic  plunges, 

Not  in  visions  of  the  night, 
Not  in  flashes  of  quick  fancy, 

Darkness  sown  with  gleams  of  light. 

But  in  calm  untroubled  survey, 
As  a  builder  knows  his  plan, 
Face  to  face  he  knew  Jehovah 
And  His  wondrous  ways  with  man. 

47 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ways  of  gentleness  and  mercy, 

Ways  of  vengeance  strong  to  smite, 

Ways  of  large  unchartered  giving, 
Ever  tending  to  the  right. 

In  the  presence  of  the  Glory 

What  no  mortal  sees  he  saw, 
And  from  hand  that  no  man  touches 

Brings  the  tables  of  the  Law. 

Law  that  bound  them  with  observance 
Lest  untutored  wit  might  stray, 

Each  man  where  his  private  fancy 
Led  him  in  a  wanton  way. 

Law  that  from  the  life  redeemed  them 
Of  loose  Arabs  wandering  wild, 

And  to  fruitful  acres  brought  them 
Where  ancestral  virtue  toiled. 

Law  that  dowered  the  chosen  people 

With  a  creed  divinely  true, 
Which  the  subtle  Greek  and  lordly  Roman 

Stooped  to  borrow  from  the  Jew. 

JOHN  STUART   BLACKIE. 


On  the  Picture  of  the  Finding  of  Moses  by 
Pharaoh's  Daughter 

""THIS  picture  does  the  story  express 
•*     Of  Moses  in  the  bulrushes, 
How  lively  the  painter's  hand 
By  colors  makes  us  understand. 
Moses  that  little  infant  is, 
This  figure  is  his  sister.     This 
Fine  stately  lady  is  no  less 
A  personage  than  a  princess, 

48 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Daughter  of  Pharaoh,  Egypt's  king 

Whom  Providence  did  hither  bring 

This  little  Hebrew  child  to  save. 

See  how  near  the  perilous  wave 

He  lies  exposed  in  the  ark, 

His  rushy  cradle,  his  frail  bark! 

Pharaoh,  King  of  Egypt  land, 

In  his  greatness  gave  command 

To  his  slaves  they  should  destroy 

Every  new-born  Hebrew  boy. 

This  Moses  was  a  Hebrew's  son; 

When  he  was  born,  his  birth  to  none 

His  mother  told,  to  none  revealed 

But  kept  her  goodly  child  concealed. 

Three  months  she  hid  him;  then  she  wrought 

With  bulrushes  this  ark,  and  brought 

Him  in  it  to  this  river's  side, 

Carefully  looking  far  and  wide 

To  see  that  no  Egyptian  eye 

Her  ark-hid  treasure  should  espy. 

Among  the  river-flags  she  lays 

The  child.     Near  him  his  sister  stays. 

We  may  imagine  her  affright 

When  the  King's  daughter  is  in  sight. 

Soon  the  princess  will  perceive 

The  ark  among  the  flags  and  give 

Command  to  her  attendant  maid 

That  its  contents  shall  be  displayed. 

Within  the  ark  the  child  is  found, 

And  now  he  utters  mournful  sound. 

Behold  he  weeps  as  if  he  were 

Afraid  of  Egypt's  cruel  heir ! 

She  speaks,  she  says,  "This  little  one 

I  will  protect  though  he  the  son 

Be  of  an  Hebrew."     Every  word 

She  speaks  is  by  the  sister  heard. 

And  now  observe,  this  is  the  part 

The  painter  chose  to  show  his  art. 

Look  at  the  sister's  eager  eye, 

49 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

As  here  she  seems  advancing  nigh. 
Lowly  she  bends,  says  " Shall  I  go 
And  call  a  nurse  for  thee  ?     I  know 
A  Hebrew  woman  liveth  near. 
Great  lady,  shall  I  bring  her  here?" 
See!     Pharaoh's  daughter  answers  "Go." 
No  more  the  painter's  art  can  show. 
He  cannot  make  his  figures  move. 
On  the  light  wings  of  swiftest  love 
The  girl  will  fly  to  bring  the  mother 
To  be  the  nurse.     She'll  bring  no  other. 
To  her  will  Pharaoh's  daughter  say, 
"Take  this  from  me  away, 
For  wages  nurse  him."     To  my  home 
At  proper  age  this  child  may  come. 
When  to  our  palace  he  is  brought, 
Wise  masters  shall  for  him  be  sought 
To  train  him  up  befitting  one, 
I   would   protect   as  my   own   son. 
And  Moses  be  a  name  unto  him, 
Because  I  from  the  waters  drew  him. 

CHARLES  and  MARY  LAMB. 


Moses  in  the  Desert 

O  where  a  foot  hath  never  trod, 

Through  unfrequented  forests  flee; 
The  wilderness  is   full   of  God, 
His  presence  dwells  in  every  tree. 

To  Israel  and  to  Egypt  dead, 

Moses  the  fugitive  appears, 
Unknown  he  lived,  till  o'er  his  head 

Had  fallen  the  snow  of  fourscore  years. 

But  God  the  wandering  found 
In  his  appointed  time  and  place, 

The  desert  sand  grew  holy  ground, 
And  Horeb's  rock  a  throne  of  grace. 

50 


BIBLICAL  AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  lonely  bush  a  tree  became, 

A  tree  of  beauty  and  of  light, 
Involved  with  unconsuming  flame 

That  made  the  moon  around  it  night. 
, 

Then  came  the  Eternal  voice  that  spake 

Salvation  to  the  chosen  seed, 
Thence  went  the  Almighty  arm  that  brake 

Proud  Pharaoh's  yoke,  and  Israel  freed. 

By  Moses,  old  and  slow  of  speech, 
These  mighty  miracles  were  shown ; 

Jehovah's  messenger!  to  teach 

That  power  belongs  to  God  alone. 

JAMES  MONTGOMERY. 

The  Destroying  Angel 

LJE  stopped  at  last 

*  *  And  a  mild  look  of  sacred  pity  cast 

Down  on  the  sinful  land  where  he  was  sent 

To  inflict  the  tardy  punishment. 

"Ah !  yet,"  said  he,  "Yet,  stubborn  king,  repent, 

Whilst  thus  armed  I  stand 

Ere  the  keen  sword  of  God  fill  my  commanded  hand. 

Suffer  but  thyself  and  thine  to  live 

Who  would  alas!  believe 

That  it  for  man,"  said  he 

"So  hard  to  be  forgiven  should  be, 

And  yet  for  God  so  easy  to  forgive!" 

" 

Through  Egypt's  wicked  land  his  march  he  took, 
And  as  he  marched,  the  sacred  first-born  strook 
Of  every  womb;  none  did  he  spare, 
None,  from  the  meanest  beast  to  Pharaoh's  purple  heir. 
Whilst  health  and  strength  and  gladness  doth  possess 
The  festal  Hebrew  cottages  ; 

51 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  blest  destroyer  comes  not  there 

To  interrupt  the  sacred  cheer: 

Upon  their  doors  he  read  and  understood. 

God's  protection  writ  in  blood; 

Well  was  he  skilled  in  the  character  divine, 

And  though  he  passed^  by  it  in  haste, 

He  bowed  and  worshipped  as  he  passed 

The  mighty  mystery  through  its  humble  sign. 

ABRAHAM  COWLEY. 


The  Passover 

'THIS  night,  dark  night!  a  solemn  stillness  reigns 

•*•         O'er  Egypt's  land ;  the  midnight  hour  is  come, 
Whilst  Pharaoh's  disobedience  still  detains 

Against  God's  will  his  people ;  such  a  doom 
Ne'er  fell  on  land,  and  ne'er  will  fall  again, 

These  were  the  words  divine,  which  Moses  gave 
To  Egypt's  king  and  court;  but  all  in  vain. 

His  heart  is  hardened,  nothing  now  can  save 
The  land  from  desolation;  for  'twas  He, 

The  Immutable,  who  gave  this  dread  command, 
Death  in  his  stead  shall  reign ;  Eternity 

Shall  swallow  up  the  first-born  of  the  land. 
But  hard  and  harder  grew  the  tyrant's  heart; 

No  fear  of  God  had  ever  entered  there ; 

With  Israel's  children;  how  could  man  so  dare, 
Not  love  but  tyranny,  forbade  him  part 
Against  high  Heaven's  designs,  his  own  to  place, 

In  competition!  (what,  but  want  of  fear 
Of  that  high   Power,  could  with  unblushing  face 

Have  made  him  tempt  Omnipotence,  and  rear 
His  haughty  head  ?  but  God  in  wisdom  knew, 

In  wisdom  infinite  divinely  planned ; 
Th'  Eternal  mind  already  had  in  mind 

Glorious  redemption — infinitely  planned 
Oh  great  deliverance!  what  love  too  great, 

What  gratitude  of  ours  can  e'er  repay 

52 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  mercy  which  released  us  from  that  state 

Of  servile  bondage  and  tyrannic  sway? 
1  In  every  house  is  silence  most  profound, 

Th'  Egyptians  sleep — not  so  the  chosen  race 
Who,  all  prepared,  now  wait  without  a  sound, 

Whilst  anxious  hope  is  pictured  on  each  face. 
Now  suddenly  along  the  midnight  air 

A  low  and  piteous  wailing  first  is  borne, 
Then  loud  and  fearful  shrieks  of  sad  despair 

Echo  from  house  to  house,  where  death  has  gone. 
Swiftly  upon  the  sable  wing  of  night, 

The  angel  has  gone  forth ;  upon  his  brow 
No  pity  can  be  traced ;  for  in  his  sight 

The  prince  and  meanest  slave  are  equalled  now. 
Then  Pharaoh's  voice  amid  the  general  cry, 

In  grief  and  haste  for  Moses  loudly  called, 
Moses  and  Aaron  he  implored  to  fly, 

For  death  surrounds  him,  he  stands  appalled. 
Then  did  the  Israelites  come  forth  as  one, 

Their  wives,  their  children — cattle  in  arrear 
In  silence  and  in  haste  their  flight  began; 

They  marched  triumphant,  for  their  God  was  near. 
He  was  their  only  guide  by  night  and  day, 

A  cloud  by  day — a  pillar  of  fire  by  night 
Thus  gloriously  He  led  them  on  their  way. 

And  thus  He  ever  keeps  us  in  His  sight. 
Now  scarce  encamped  besides  the  sea,  they  view, 

With  dread  and  horror  Pharaoh  and  his  host, 
His  chariots  and  his  horsemen  all  pursue 

To  overtake  them  ere  they  reach  the  coast. 
But  what  are  human  plans  if  God  oppose, 

"Fear  not,"  then  Moses  said,  "but  wait  and  see 
Salvation  of  the  Lord;  for  these  our  foes 

Will  never  more  on  earth  be  seen  by  thee." 
He  scarce  had  said,  when  at  the  voice  of  God 

The  sea  divides — they  walk  upon  dry  land, 
Then,  at  the  voice  Divine,  he  lifts  his  rod — 

Two  upright  walls  of  sea  majestic  stand. 

53 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  cloud,  which  until  now,  had  gone  before, 

Suddenly  changes  its  resplendent  light, 
The  Israelites  now  crossed — the  sea  once  more 

Resumes  its  place,  but  in  the  Egyptians'  sight 
The  light  is  darkness  now;  for  all  is  seen 

Dark  on  that  side,  where  Pharaoh's  horsemen  dash 
On 'with  rapid  speed;  while  still  between 

That  cloud  remains.     A  loud  and  fearful  crash, 
Another  and  another  quick  succeed, 

'Tis  God  who  fights  against  them ;  vain  the  thought 
To  flee  from  Israel's  face ;  for  whence  proceeds 

Such  wond'rous  power,  if  not  from  God  who  fought 
On  Israel's  side?  who  safe  had  reached  the  shore 

Ere  morning's  faintest  blush  began  to  spread, 
They  saw  the  Egyptians  sink  to  rise  no  more, 

Not  one  that  was  not  numbered  with  the  dead. 
Then  all  the  multitudej  with  one  accord 

Joined  Moses  in  a  loud  and  heartfelt  cry 
Of  gratitude  and  praises  to  the  Lord ; 

"They  sang  to  Him  who  triumphed  gloriously." 

R.  E.  S. 


Out  of  Egypt 

PHE  flaming  sunset  bathed  the  distant  hills 
In  gold,  the  air  was  chill,  and  darkness  fell 
Upon  the  silent  land.     Then  through  the  night 
A  cry  of  pain  rose  like  a  wave,  and  fell, 
Again  and  yet  again  it  soared  aloft, 
But  dying  to  be  born  anew;  a  wail 
Of  anguish  wild,  of  hoarse  and  deep  despair 
From  countless  hearts,  who  called  unto  their  gods 
With  tears  and  sobs,  with  broken  prayers  in  vain! 
For  death  attired  in  red,  with  scourge  and  flail 
Had  swept  through  Egypt  at  the  voice  of  God. 
And  as  he  passed  behold  his  steps  were  stained 
With  blood.     All  first-born  children  in  the  land 
Were  dead.     The  Pharaoh  and  the  shepherd  mourned 

54 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Alike,  for  blood  red  tracks  were  traced  from  door 

To  door;  from  palace  garden  to  the  home 

Of  those  who  lived  in  pinch  of  utter  want. 

Then  God  spake,  and  the  voices  of  the  crowds 

Were  stilled:  "I  am  the  Lord.     I  am  the  Lord, 

My  children  you  have  treated  like  the  dust, 

My  chosen  people  you  have  bound  with  shame. 

You  hold  them,  and  you  would  not  let  them  go, 

So  I  the  Lord  their  God  have  taken  all 

The  first-born  in  your  land  .  .  . 

But  Israel's  children  have  I  spared  to  live, 

And  death  into  their  house  hath  entered  not. 

Repent,  repent,  and  pray  you  be  stiff-necked 

And  proud  no  more."     Then  ceased  the  voice  of  God. 

And  mourning  into  hatred  turned,  the  fumes 

Of  passion  smote  upon  their  souls — "Begone, 

Begone  accursed  of  our  sight,  arise 

And  flee,  lest  we  be  all  dead  men;  take  gold, 

/  nd  silver,  flocks  and  herds,  and  leave  us  peace." 

So  Israel  fled  out  in  the  night,  and  came 

Not  to  that  land  again.     And  now  once  more 

A  silence  fell,  and  stars  of  heaven  gazed 

Upon  the  stricken  homes,  upon  the  palm 

Trees  listening  to  the  whisper  of  the  wind, 

Upon  the  silent  Nile,  upon  the  land 

Of  sin.  ._  T>V    T> 

DOROTHEA  DE  PASS. 

Psalm  CXIV 

YY7HEN  Israel  from  proud  Egypt's  yoke 

**         Of  bondage  first  came  forth, 
And  the  house  of  Jacob  from  the  land 
Of  strange  tongues,  in  the  North. 

Judah  His  Sanctuary  stood, 

And  Israel  proud  was  His  domain, 
-The  Sea  beheld,  and  straightway  fled, 
And  Jordan  backward,  drove  amain. 

55 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Like  mountains,  skipped  the  wethers,  then, 
Like  playful  lambs,  the  mighty  hills; 

Oh  Sea!     Why  flee'st  thou  about? 
And,  Jordan,  whence  thy  tiny  rills? 

Ye  Mountains,  that  ye  skip  apace, 
Ye  mighty  hills,  like  tiny  sheep; 

The  earth  in  trembling  fears  the  Lord, 
For  Jacob's  God  'tis  now  ye  weep. 

Who  turneth  to  a  watery  pool 

The  hard  unstable  rock, 
The  flint  unto  a  living  fount 

Of  waters,  for  His  flock. 

MYRTILLA  E.  MITCHELL. 


The  Passage  of  the  Red  Sea 

'1V/IID  the  light  spray  their  snorting  camels  stood, 
***   Nor  bathed  a  fetlock  in  the  nauseous  flood — 
He  comes — their  leader  comes ! — the  man  of  God 
O'er  the  wide  waters  lifts  His  mighty  rod. 
And  onward  treads — the  circling  waves  retreat 
In  hoarse  deep  murmurs,  from  his  holy  feet; 
And  the  chased  surges,  inly  roaring,  show 
The  hard  wet  sand  and  coral  hills  below. 
With  limbs  that  falter,  and  with  hearts  that  swell, 
Down,  down  they  pass — a  steep  and  slippery  dell. 
Around  them  rise,  in  pristine  chaos  hurled, 
The  ancient  rocks,  the  secrets  of  the  world ; 
The  flowers  that  blush  beneath  the  ocean  green, 
And  caves,  the  sea-calves'  low-roofed  haunt,  are  seen. 
Down,  safely  down  the  narrow  pass  they  tread ; 
The  beetling  waters  storm  above  their  head : 
While  far  behind  retires  the  sinking  day, 
And  fades  on  Edom's  hills  its  latest  ray. 
Yet  not  from  Israel  fled  the  friendly  light, 
Or  dark  to  them  or  cheerless  came  the  night, 

56 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Still  in  their  van,  along  the  dreadful  road, 
Blazed  broad  and  fierce  the  brandished  torch  of  God. 
Its  meteor  glare  a  tenfold  lustre  gave 
On  the  long  mirror  of  the  rosy  wave : 
While  its  blest  beams  a  sunlike  heat  supply, 
Warm  every  cheek,  and  dance  in  every  eye — 
To  them  alone — for  Mizraim's  wizard  train 
Invoke  for  light  their  monster  gods  in  vain ; 
Clouds  heaped  on  clouds  their  struggling  sight  confine, 
And  tenfold  darkness  broods  above  their  line. 
Yet  on  they  fare,  by  reckless  vengeance  led, 
And  range  unconscious  through  the  ocean's  bed. 
Till  midway  now — that  strange  and  fiery  form 
Showed  his  dread  visage  lightning  through  the  storm; 
With  withering  splendor  blasted  all  their  might, 
And  brake  their  chariot  wheels  and  marred  their  cour- 
ser's flight. 

"Fly,  Mizraim,  fly!" — From  Edom's  coral  strand 
Again  the  prophet  stretched  his  dreadful  wand: — 
With  one  wild  crash  the  thundering  waters  sweep, 
And  all  is  waves — a  dark  and  lonely  deep. 

REGINALD  HEBER. 

The    Destruction    of    Pharaoh 

1VJOURN,    Mizraim,    mourn!     The   weltering 

*^         wave 

Wails  loudly  o'er  Egyptia's  brave 

Where,  lowly  laid,  they  sleep; 
The  salt   sea   rusts   the  helmet's  crest; 
The  warrior  takes  his  ocean-rest, 

Full  far  below  the  deep. 

The  deep,  the  deep,  the  weary  deep! 

Wail,  wail,  Egyptia!  mourn  and  weep! 
For  many  a  mighty  legion  fell 
Before  the  God  of  Israel. 

Wake,  Israel,  wake  the  harp.     The  roar 
Of  ocean's  wave  on  Mizraim's  shore 

57 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Rolls  now  o'er  many  a  crest. 
Where,  now,  the  iron  chariot's  sweep? 
Where  Pharaoh's  host?     Beneath  the  deep 

His  armies  take  their  rest. 
Shout,  Israel !     Let  the  joyful  cry 
Pour  forth  the  notes  of  victory; 
High  let  it  swell  across  the  sea, 
For  Jacob's  weary  tribes  are  free! 

JOHN  RUSKIN. 

The  Passage  of  the  Red  Sea 

the  sand  and  sea-weed  lying, 
Israel  poured  her  doleful  sighing, 

While  before  the  deep  sea  flowed, 

And  behind  fierce  Egypt  rode, 

To  their  fathers'  God  they  prayed, 

To  the  Lord  of  Hosts  for  aid. 

On  the  margin  of  the  flood 

With  lifted  rod  the  prophet  stood; 

And  the  summoned  east  wind  blew, 

And  aside  it  sternly  threw 

The  gathered  waves  that  took  their  stand, 

Like  crystal  rocks,  on  either  hand, 

Or  walls  of  sea-green  marble  piled 

Round  some  irregular  city  wild. 

Then  the  light  of  morning  lay 
On  the  wonder-paved  way, 
Where  the  treasures  of  the  deep 
In  their  caves  of  coral  sleep. 
The  profound  abysses,  where 
Was  never  sound  from  upper  air, 
Rang  with  Israel's  chanted  words: 
King  of  king  and  Lord  of  lords ! 

Then,  with  bow  and  banner  glancing, 
On  exulting  Egypt  came, 

58 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

With  her  chosen  horsemen  prancing, 
And  her  cars  on  wheels  of  flame, 
In  a  rich  and  boastful  ring, 
All  around  her  furious  king. 

But  the  Lord  from  out  his  cloud  — 

The  Lord  looked  down  upon  the  proud, 

As  the  host  drave  heavily 

Down  the  deep  bosom  of  the  sea. 

With  a  quick  and  sudden  swell 

Prone  the  liquid  ramparts  fell; 

Over  horse  and  over  car, 

Over  every  man  of  war, 

Over  Pharaoh's  crown  of  gold, 

The  loud  thundering  billows  rolled. 

As  the  level  water  spread, 

Down  they  sank,  they  sank  like  lead, 

Down  without  a  cry  or  groan. 

And  the 'morning  sun  that  shone 

On  myriads  of  bright-armed  men, 

Its  meridian  radiance  then 

Cast  on  a  wide  sea,  heaving  as  of  yore 

Against  a  silent,  solitary  shore. 

Then  did  Israel's  maidens  sing, 

Then  did  Israel's  timbrels  ring, 

To  Him,  the  King  of  kings  that  in  the  sea 

The  Lord  of  lords  had  triumphed  gloriously  ! 

HENRY  HART  MILMAN. 

Passage  of  the  Red  Sea 

IN  doubt,  in  weariness,  in  woe, 

The  host  of  Israel  flee; 
Behind  them  rode  the  raging  foe, 
Before  them  was  the  sea. 

The  angry  waters  at  their  feet, 
All  dark  and  dread,  rolled  on; 

And  where  the  sky  and  desert  meet, 
Spears  flashed  against  the  sun. 

59 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

But  still  along  the  eastern  sky 

The  fiery  pillar  shone, 
And  o'er  the  waves  that  rolled  so  high 

It  bade  them  still  come  on. 

Then  Moses  turned  the  sea  toward, 

And  raised  his  hand  on  high ; 
The  angry  waters  know  their  lord: 

They  know  him,  and  they  fly. 

Where  never  gleamed  the  red  sunlight, 
Where  foot  of  man  ne'er  trod, 

Down,  down  they  go,  and  left  and  right 
The  wall  of  waters  stood. 

Full  soon  along  that  vale  of  fear,       * 
With  cymbals,  horns,  and  drums, 

With  many  a  steed  and  many  a  spear 
The  maddening  monarch  comes. 

A  moment — far  as  eye  could  reach, 
The  thronging  myriads  tread ; 

The  next — the  waste  and  silent  deep 
Was  rolling  o'er  their  head. 

ANONYMOUS. 


The  Song  of  Miriam 

"Sing  ye  to  the  Lord,  for  he  hath  triumphed  glori- 
ously; the  horse  and  his  rider  hath  he  thrown  into  the 
sea." — Exod.  xv.  21. 

E   daughters  and  soldiers  of  Israel  look  back! 

Where — where   are  the  thousands  that  shadowed 

your  track, 

The  chariots  that  took  the  deep  earth  as  they  rolled 
The  banners  of  silk  and  the  helmets  of  gold  ? 

60 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Where  are  they — the  vultures  whose  beaks  would  have 

fed 

On  the  tide  of  your  hearts  ere  the  pulses  had  fled  ? 
Give  glory  to  God,  who  in  mercy  arose, 
And  strewed  'mid  the  waters  the  strength  of  our  foes. 

When  we  traveled  the  waste  of  the  desert  by  day, 
With  his  banner-cloud's  motion  he  marshalled  the  way: 
When  we  saw  the  tired  sun  in  his  glory  expire 
Before  he  walked,  in  a  pillar  of  fire. 

But  this  morn,  and  the  Israelites'  strength  was  a  reed 
That  shook  with  the  thunder  of  chariot  and  steed, 
Where    now   are    the    swords   and    their    far-flashing 

sweep  ? 
Their  lightnings  are  quenched  in  the  depth  of  the  deep. 

O  thou,  that  redeemest  the  weak  one  at  length 
And  scourgest  the  strong  in  the  pride  of  their  strength, 
Who  holdest  the  earth  and  the  sea  in  thine  hand, 
And  rulest  Eternity's  shadowy  land — 

To  thee  let  our  thoughts  and  our  offerings  tend, 
Of  virtue  the  Hope,  and  of  sorrow  the  Friend. 
Let  the  incense  of  prayer  still  ascend  to  thy  throne, 
Omnipotent — glorious — eternal- — alone. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Sound  the  Loud  Timbrel 

OOUND  the  loud  timbrel  o'er  Egypt's  dark  sea! 
^       Jehovah  hath   triumphed — His  people  are  free. 
Sing — for  the  pride  of  the  tyrant  is  broken, 

His  chariots,  his  horsemen,  all  splendid  and  brave, 
How   vain    was   their   boasting — the    Lord   hath   but 
spoken, 

And  chariots  and  horsemen  are  sunk  in  the  wave. 
Sound  the  loud  timbrel  o'er  Egypt's  dark  sea! 
Jehovah  has  triumphed — His  people  are  free. 

61 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Praise  to  the  Conqueror,  praise  to  the  Lord, 

His  word  was  our  arrow,  His  breath  was  our  sword! — 

Who  shall  return  to  tell  Egypt  the  story 

Of  those  she  sent  forth  in  the  hour  of  her  pride? 
For  the  Lord  hath  looked  out  from  His  pillar  of  glory, 

And  all  her  brave  thousands  are  dashed  in  the  tide. 
Sound  the  loud  timbrel  o'er  Egypt's  dark  sea! 
Jehovah  has  triumphed — His  people  are  free. 

THOMAS  MOORE. 


Song  at  the  Red  Sea 

Exodus  xv.  i 

CING  to  Jehovah,  who   gloriously  triumphs, 
^       The  God  of  our  fathers,  the  God  of  the  free ! 
For  Jah   is  our  strength,  our  song  and  salvation! 
The  horse  and  his  rider  are  drowned  in  the  sea! 

The  Lord  is  a  warrior,  His  name  is  Jehovah! 

Thy  right  hand,   O   Lord!   is  exalted   in  might! 
Thou  dashest  in  pieces  the  foes  of  Thy  people! 

Thy  wrath  has  consumed  them  and  swept  them  to 
night! 

The  chariots  of  Pharaoh,  his  captains  and  princes, 
The  hosts  of  oppression,  the  legions  of  wrong, 

The  blast  of  Thy  nostrils  with  floods  overwhelms  them, 
And  Israel  shouts  in  her  thunders  of  song! 

c 

What  God  of  the  nations  is  like  to  Jehovah? 

Glorious  in  holiness,   fearful   in  praise! 
All  people  shall  fear  Him,  all  ages  adore  Him! 

He  reigns  in  His  glory,  through  infinite  days! 

GEORGE  LANSING  TAYLOR. 


62 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  First  Song  of  Moses 
Exodus  xv 

I 
"MOW  shall  the  praises  of  the  Lord  be  sung; 

For  he  a  most  renowned  Triumph  won: 
Both  horse  and  men  into  the  sea  he  flung. 

And  them  together  there  hath  overthrown. 
The  Lord  is  he  whose  strength  doth  make  me  strong 
And  he  is  my  salvation  and  my  song: 
My  God,  for  whom  I  will  a  house  prepare 
My  father's  God  whose  praise  I  will  declare. 

jy 

Well  knows  the  Lord  to  war  what  doth  pertain, 

The  Lord  Almighty  is  his  glorious  name; 
He  Pharaoh's  chariots,  and  his  armed  train 

Amid  the  sea  o'erwhelming,  overcame; 
Those  of  his  army  that  are  most  renowned 
He  hath  together  in  the  Red  Sea  drown'd, 
The  deeps  a  covering  over  them  were  thrown, 
And  to  the  bottom  sunk  they  like  a  stone. 

Ill 
Lord,  by  thy  power  thy  right  hand  famous  grows; 

Thy  right  hand,  Lord,  thy  foe  destroyed  hath; 
Thy  glory  thy  opposers  overthrows, 

And  stubble-like  consumes  them  in  thy  wrath. 
A  blast  but  from  thy  nostrils  forth  did  go 
And  up  together  did  the  waters  flow; 
Yea,  rolled  up  on  heaps  the  liquid  flood 
Amid  the  sea,  as  if  congealed,  stood. 

IV 

I  will  pursue  them   (their  pursuer  cried), 
I   will  o'ertake  them,   and   the  spoil  enjoy; 

My  lust  upon  them  shall  be  satisfied ; 

With  sword  unsheathed   my  hand   shall   their    de- 
stroy. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Then  from  thy  breath  a  gale  of  wind  was  sent; 
The  billows  of  the  sea  quite  o'er  them  went. 
And  they  the  mighty  waters  sunk  into 
E'en  as  a  weighty  piece  of  lead  will  do. 


V 

Lord,  who  like  thee  among  the  Gods  is  there! 

In  holiness  so  glorious  who  may  be! 
Whose  praises  so  exceeding  dreadful  are! 

In  doing  wonders,  who  can  equal  thee! 
Thy  glorious  right  hand  thou  on  high  didst  rear, 
And  in  the  earth  they  quickly  swallowed  were, 
But  thou  in  mercy  onward  hast  conveyed 
Thy  people,  whose  redemption  thou  hast  paid. 

VI 

Them  by  thy  strength  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  bear 

Unto  a  holy  dwelling  place  of  thine; 
The  nations  at  report  thereof  shall  fear, 

And  grieve  shall  they  that  dwell  in  Palestine. 
On  Edom's  princes  shall  amazement  fall; 
The  mighty  men  of  Moab  tremble  shall 
And  such  as  in  the  land  of  Canaan  dwell, 
Shall  pine  away,  of  this  when  they  hear  tell. 

VII 

They  shall  be  seized  with  a  horrid  fear. 

Stone-quiet  thy  right  hand  shall  make  them  be, 
Till  passed  over,  Lord,  thy  people  are; 

Till  those  pass  over,  that  were  brought  by  thee. 
For  thou  shalt  make  them  to  thy  hill  repair, 
And  plant  them  there  (O  Lord)  where  thou  art  heir, 
E'en  there  where  thou  thy  dwelling  hast  prepared, 
That  holy  place  which  thine  own  hands  have  reared. 

VIII 

The  Lord  shall  ever  and  forever  reign, 
His  sovereignty  shall  never  have  an  end: 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

For  when  as  Pharaoh  did  into  the  main 

With  chariots  and  with  horsemen,  down  descend, 
The  Lord  did  back  again  the  sea  recall, 
And  with  those  waters  overwhelm'd  them  all. 
But  through  the  very  inmost  of  the  same 
The  seed  of  Israel  safe  and  dry-shod  came. 

GEORGE  WITHER. 

Miriam 

,  for  that  day,  that  day  of  bliss  entrancing 
When  Israel  stood,  her  night  of  bondage  o'er. 
And  leaped  in  heart  to  see  no  more  advancing 

Egypt's  dark  host  along  the  desert  shore ; 
For  scarce  a  ripple  now  proclaimed  where  lay 
The  boasting  Pharaoh  and  his  fierce  array. 

Miriam!  she  silent  stood,  that  sight  beholding, 

And  bowed  with  sacred  awe  her  wondering  head. 

Till   lo!      No  more   their  hjdeous   spoils   withholding 
The  depths  indignant,   spurned   their   buried   dead; 

And  all  along  that  sad  and  vengeful  coast 

Pale  corpses  lay, — a  monumental   host. 

Miriam!     She  saw;  then  all  to  life  awaking, — 
"Sing  to  the  Lord,"  with  a  great  voice  she  cried; 

"Sing  to  the  Lord,"   their  many  timbrels  shaking, 
Ten  thousand  ransomed  hearts  and  tongues  replied; 

While,   leading  on   the   dance   in   triumph   long 

Thus* the  great  Prophetess  broke  forth  in  song: 

"Oh,  sing  to  the  Lord, 

Sing  his   triumph  right  giorious; 
"O'er  horse  and  rider 

Sing   his   right    arm   victorious; 
Pharaoh's  horsemen  and  chariots 

And  captains  so  brave, 
The  Lord  hath  thrown  down 

In  the  bottomless  wave. 

65 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Man  of  war  is  the  Lord 

And  Jehovah  is  His  name; 
We  trusted  his  pillar 

Of   cloud    and   of    flame. 
Proud  boasters,  ye  followed 

But  where  have  ye  gone? 
Down,  down  in  the  waters 

Ye  sank  like  a  stone. 

"O  Lord  thou  didst  blow 

With  thy  nostrils  a  blast 
And  upheaved,  the  huge  billows 

Like  mountains  stood  fast! 
Egypt  shuddered  with  wonder 

That  pathway  to  see, 
Those  depths  all  congealed 

In  the  heart  of  the  sea. 

"  'I,  too,  will  march  onward' 

(The  enemy  cried) 
I  shall  soon  ove/take 

I,  the  spoil  will  divide 
I  will  kill'— O  my  God! 

The  depths  fell  at  thy  breath 
And  like  lead  they  went  down 

In  those  waters  of  death. 

"But  o'er  us  the  soft  wings 

Of  thy  mercy  outspread, 
To  thine  own  chosen  dwelling 

Our  feet  have  been  led. 
Palistrina,  affrighted, 

The  tidings  shall  hear, 
And  your  hearts,  O  ye  nations, 

Shall  wither  with  fear. 

"Thus  brought  in  with   triumph 

Safe  planted  and  blessed 
On  thy  own  holy  mountain 

Thy  people  shall  rest. 

66 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Shout!  Pharaoh  is  fallen 

To  rise  again  never. 
Sing!     The  Lord  he  shall  reign 

Forever  and  ever." 

E.  DUDLEY  JACKSON. 


Exodus  x:  21-23 

Israel  dwelt  in  Egypt's  land, 
And  groan'd  beneath  the  tyrant's  pow'r, 
O  Lord,  'twas  Thine  Almighty  hand 

Sustain'd  him  thro'   that  dreary  hour. 
When  all  the  air  at  noon  of  day 

Was  filled  with  gloom   "which  might  be  felt," 
Thy  smile  was  still  a  cheerful  ray 
In  every  tent  where  Israel   dwelt. 

And  thus,  O  Lord,  the  faithful  heart 

Believes  that  it  will  ever  be; 
Thy  love,  we  know,  will   ne'er  depart 

From  those  who  truly  trust  in  Thee. 
When  all  the  world  grows  dark  through  sin, 
With  them  Thy  smile  will  still  be  found ; 
Diffusing  joy  and  peace  within, 

While  all  seems  dark  and  cheerless  round ! 

J.    W.    BURGON. 


Mount  Sinai 

I7ROM  Sinai's  top  the  lightnings  flashed; 

The  thunders  rolled   around — around — 
As  if  the  heavenly  orbs  had  clashed 
Together   with   destructive  bound, 
And   down    their  shattered    fragments  hurled 
Upon  a  desolated  world. 

6? 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  on  the  mount  there  hung  a  cloud, 
Dark  as  the  midnight's  darkest  gloom; 

And  blew  a  trumpet  long  and  loud, 
Like  that  which  shall  wake  the  tomb. 

And    terror   like   a   sudden    frost 

Fell  on  the  Israelitish  host. 

In  radiant  fire  the  mighty  God 

Descended  from  the  heavenly  throne; 

And  on   the  mountains  where  H€  trod, 
A  pavement  as  of  sapphire  stone 

Appeared   like    glittering  stars   of   even 

When  storms  have  left  the  deep-blue  heaven. 

And  as  the  wondering  people  turned 

To  see  the  glory  of  the  Lord, 
The  smoke — as  if  a  furnace  burned 

Within  the  mountain,  swelled  and  roared, 
And  all  its  lofty  summits  shook 
Like  sedge  leaves  by  the  summer  brook. 

And   Moses  from  the  trembling  crowd 
Went  up  to  God's  dark  secret  place 

And   heard   from  the  surrounding  cloud 
His  message  to  the  Hebrew  race, 

Who  vowed   with   fervor  and   accord 

To  keep  the  covenant  of  the  Lord. 

For  they  had  marked  the  trump  that  blew 

The  fires  that  gleamed,  the  peals  that  roared — 

In  shadowed  glory  shine  to  view 
The  presence  of  the  eternal   Lord, 

Bright  as  His  mercy  chose  to  give, 

For  none  can  see  His  face  and  live. 

HORATIUS    BONAR. 


68 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

At  Sinai 

r\OWN  from  the  mist-clad  mountain  Moses  came, 

His  face  aglow  with  some  strange  inward  flame- 
Down  the  long  slope  with  winged  feet  he  trod, 
And  vision  clear,  for  he  had  talked  with  God! 

Before  the  mount  he  saw  his  people  stand, 
As  he  had  bidden.     Slow  he  raised  his  hand — 
A  solemn  stillness  bound  them   as  they  saw, 
Their  restive  hearts  athrill  with  reverent  awe. 

Deep  was  his  voice  and  tender.     E'en  the  birds 
Poised  on  their  moveless  wings  to  hear  his  words. 
From  out  the  misty  cloud  that  wraps  the  hill, 
There  came  the  voice  of  God,  so  small  and  still. 

And  thus  it  said:  "These  words  to  Israel  bring: 
As  I   have  borne   them  forth   on   eagle's  wing 
From  Egypt's  bonds,  so  will  I  guard  them  still 
If  they  obey  my  voice,  and  do  my  will. 

"Yea,   Israel  shall   a  priestly  people  be, 
A  most  peculiar  treasure  unto  Me; 
If  they  do  heed  the  Law  that  I  do  give. 
My  people,  say!     Will  ye  obey  and  live?" 

With  hands  uplifted  stood   the  leader   there, 
His  face  ablaze!     And  on  the  desert  air 
There  rose  a  murmur  swelling  loud  and  true, 
"All  that  the  Lord  doth  bid  us,  will  we  do !" 

So  went  he  once  again  within  the  mist 
That   hid    the    somber   mountain,    grey,    cloud-kissed; 
And  as  they  watched,  the  waiting  people  saw 
Him  come  again,  and  in  his  arms,  the  Law! 

Thus  came  the  Word — and  thus  the  right  to  hear 
The  message,  that  the  world  might  know  and  share. 
Yea,  theirs  the  gift!     But  theirs  the  promise,  too. 
Whate'er  the  Lord  hath  spoken,  that  we'll  do. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Tho'  there  at  Sinai's  foot,  in  age  long  dead, 
Our  fathers  hath  the  sacred  covenant  said, 
Their  blood  is  ours!  and  their  promise  true! 
Whate'er  the  Lord  hath  bidden,  shall  we  do! 

ISABELLA  R.  HESS. 


Divine  Love 

_ 

"And  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thine  heart  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
might." — Deut.  vi,  5. 

T   KNOW  not  what  this  world  would  be 

(Not  even  by  analogy) 
If  love  were  banished  for  a  time 
To  other  realm,  or  other  clime; 
But  no,  it  is  not  bound  by  space, 
But  with  illimitable  grace 
Glides  through  all  worlds,  and  lives  in  all, 
All  hearts  and  souls  it  does  enthral ; 
Some,  where  the  spirit  seldom  dwelt 
'Tis  not  quite  banished  or  forgot; 
It  were  indeed  a  dreary  spot 
Without   one   single   ray  of  love, 
That  heavenly  blessing  from  above, 
For  what  were  virtue,  goodness,  truth, 
Without  the  light  of  love?  in  sooth 
They  would  not  be — they  could  not  last 
Without  this  heavenly  antepast ; 
This  foretaste  of  celestial  love 
Vicegerent  here,  but  crowned  above. 
Oh!   love,  thou  pure  and  holy  thing, 
What  are  the  blessings  thou  dost  bring? 
Nay,  rather,  what  is  happiness 
But  love  in  some  new  guise  or  dress? 
Even  from  birth  'tis  love  that  fills 
Each  avenue  of  soul — Instils 

70 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Its  spiritual  influence 

And  makes  us  all  love  excellence, 

Whatever  bears  the  noble  stamp 

Of  great  and  good ;  'tis  this  pure  lamp 

Which  lights  our  path  and  gives  us  hope, 

Extends  our  views  to  higher  scope. 

We  love  to  read,  to  hear,  to  earn, 

And  why?  because  our  spirits  burn. 

ANONYMOUS. 


"Moses  as  Lamp-Bearer" 

A    CURIOUS  fancy  seized  on  Moses'  soul, 
•*"•    To  know  if  God,  the  Lord,  slept  like  a  man: 
So  Allah  sent  an  angel  from  on  high, 
Who  to  the   Holy  Prophet  this  wise  spake — 
"Take,  Moses,  in  thy  hands  two  burning  lamps, 
Then    take    thy   stand    and    hold    thyself   upright, 
With  both  arms  stretched  full  length,  and  keep  them 

so; 
And    watch    then    the    whole    night    through    and 

through." 

Then  Moses  took  the  lamps  and  placed  himself 
And  held  them  fast  on  high  a  long,  long  time. 
But  at  the  last  such  weariness  came  on  him, 
That  the  lamps  fell  to  earth   from  out  his  hands. 
"Thus,"  cried  the  angel,  "thus,  O  simple  man, 
Thus  would   the  sun   and  moon   and   starry  host, 
Thus  would   the  joined   fabric  of  the  world 
In  waste  and  ruin  fall,  did  Allah  sleep!" 

WILLIAM   STIGAND. 


Aaron's  Breastplate 

"Aaron  shall  bear  their  names  before  the  Lord 
upon  his  two  shoulders  for  a  memorial.  .  .  .  Aaron 
shall  bear  the  names  of  the  children  of  Israel  in  the 
breast-plate  of  judgment  upon  his  heart,  for  a  me- 

71 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

morial  before  the   Lord  continually." — Exodus  xxvii. 
12,    29. 

TN   the  wondrous  breastplate  golden, 
Safely  on    His  bosom   holden, 
See   the   jewels   from    the   mine! 
Amethyst  and  onyx  wearing 
Mystic  marks,  and  each  one  bearing 
Traces  of  the  hand  divine. 

Sapphires    'mid    the    gorgeous   cluster 
Sparkle  with  celestial  luster, 

Like  the  crystal   dome  above; 
Ruby  rare  and  topaz  blending 
In  that  glory  never-ending, 

Safe  upon  the  breast  of  love. 

Emerald   and   beryl   throwing 
Chastened  hues,  the  fairer  growing 

As  the   jasper  blends  the  rays. 
Chrysoprase,   like  kings'  attire 
Glowing  like  a  star  of  fire, 

Or   a  soul   that  loves  to  praise. 

Who   the   love  and  praise  can  measure 
Ere   revealed   this   hidden    treasure 

One  by  one  in  dazzling  light ! 
On  his  breast  our  High  Priest  wears  them, 
On  his  shoulder,  see  he  bears  them, 

Ever   in   our   Father's   sight. 

ANNA  SHIPTON. 


Lights  In  the   Temple 

"And  Aaron  shall  burn  thereon  sweet  incense  every 
morning;  when  he  dresseth  the  lamps  he  shall  burn 
incense  upon  it.  And  when  Aaron  lighteth  the  lamps 
at  even,  he  shall  burn  incense  upon  it;  a  perpetual 

72 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

incense    before    the    Lord,    throughout    your    genera- 
tions."— Exod.  xxx.  7,  8. 

the  %stars  are  lit  in  heaven, 
We  must  light  our  lamps  on  earth; 
Every  star  a  signal  given 

From  the  God  of  our  new  birth: 
Every  lamp  an  answer  faint, 
Like  the  prayer  of  mortal  Saint. 

Mark  the  hour  and  turn  this  way, 
Sons  of  Israel,  far  and  near! 

Wearied  with  the  world's  dim  day, 
Turn  to  Him  whose  eyes  are  here, 

Open,  watching  day  and  night, 

Beaming  unapproached  light! 

With  sweet  oil-drops  in  His  hour 
Feed  the  branch  of  many  lights, 

Token  of  protecting  power, 
Pledg'd  to  faithful  Israelites, 

Emblem  of  the  anointed  Home, 

When  the  glory  deigns  to  come. 

Watchers  of  the  sacred  flame, 
Sons  of  Aaron!  serve  in  fear, — 

Deadly  is  th'  avenger's  aim, 

Should  th'  unhallowed  enter  here; 

Keen  his  fires,  should  recreants  dare 

Breathe  the  pure  and  fragrant  air. 

There  is  One  will  bless  your  toil — 
He  who  comes  in  Heaven's  attire, 

Morn  by  morn,  with  holy  oil; 
Eve  by  eve,  with  holy  fire! 

Pray! — your  prayer  will  be  allowed, 

Mingling  with  His  incense  cloud! 

JOHN  KEBLE. 


73 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Bezalel 

DEZALEL,  filled  with  wisdom  to  design 

^   Stones,  precious  wood,  rich-embroidered  fabrics, 

gold, 

Fed  not  the  few  with  cunning  manifold 
Nor  empty  loveliness;  his  art  divine 
Set  up  a  tabernacle  as  a  sign 
Of  oneness  for  a  rabble  many-souled, 
So  that  each  span  of  desert  should  behold 
A  nomad  people  with  a  steadfast  shrine. 

But  we,  its  sons,  who  wander  in  the  dark, 
Footsore,    far-scattered,   growing  less  and  less, 

What  whiteness  glooms  our  brotherhood   to   mark, 
What   promised   land   our   journey's   end    to    bless! 

We  are,  unless  we  build  some  shrine  or  ark, 
A  dying  rabble  in   a  wilderness. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 


Moses  and  the  Angel 

Praise   Him,   Al-Mutahali!      Whose   decree    is   wiser 
than  the  wit  of  man  can  see 

'THIS  written  in  the  chapter  of  "the  Cave," 

*•    An  Angel  of  the  Lord,  a  minister, 
Had  errands  upon  earth,  and   Moses  said, 
"Grant  me  to  wend  with  thee,  that  I  may  learn 
God's  ways  with  men."     The  Angel  answering,  said: 
"Thou  canst  not  bear  with  me;  thou  wilt  not  have 
Knowledge   to   judge;   yet   if   thou    followest   me, 
Question  me  not,  whatever  I  shall  do, 
Until  I  tell  thee." 

Then  they  found  a  ship 

On  the  sea-shore,  wherefrom  the  Angel  struck 
Her  boards  and  brake  them.   Moses  said,  "Wilt  drown 

74 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  manners?  This  is  a  strange  thing  wrought!" 
"Did  I  not  say  thou  couldst  not  bear  with  me?" 
The  Angel  answered — "Be  thou  silent  now!" 

Yet  farther,  and  they  met  an  Arab  boy; 
Upon  his  eyes  with  mouth   invisible 
The  Angel  breathed ;  and  all  his  warm  blood  froze, 
And,  with  a  moan,  he  sank  to  earth  and   died. 
Then   Moses  said,   "Slayest  thou  the  innocent 
Who  did  no  wrong?  this  is  a  hard  thing  seen!" 
"Did   I  not  tell  thee,"  said  the  Minister, 
"Thou    wouldst   not   bear   with    me?      Question    me 
not!" 

Then  came  they  to  a  village,  where  there  stood 

A  lowly  hut;  the  garden-fence  thereof 

Toppled  to  fall;  the  Angel  thrust  it  down. 

A  ruin  of  gray  stones,  and  lime,  and  tiles, 

Crushing  the  lentils,  melons,  saffron,  beans, 

The  little  harvest  of  the  cottage  folk. 

"What  hire,"  asked  Moses,  "hadst  thou  for  this  deed. 

Seeming  so  evil?" 

Then  the  Angel  said, 

"This  is  the  parting  betwixt  me  and  thee: 
Yet  will  I  first  make  manifest  the  things 
Thou  couldst  not  bear,  not  knowing,  that  my  Lord — 
'Exalted  above  all  reproach' — be  praised. 

The  ship  I  broke  serveth  poor  fisherfolk 
Whose  livelihood   was  lost,   because  there  came 
A  king  that  way  seizing  all  boats  found  whole: 
Now  they  have  peace.     Touching  the  Arab  boy. 
In  two  moons  he  had  slain  his  mother's  son, 
Being  perverse;  but  now  his  brother  lives 
Whose  life  unto  his  tribe  was  more,  and  he 
Dieth  blood-guiltless.     For  the  garden  wall, 
Two  goodly  youths  dwell  there,  offspring  of  one 
That  loved  his  Lord,  and  underneath  the  stones 

75 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The   father  hid   the  treasure,   which   is   theirs. 
This  shall  they  find,  building  their  ruin  up, 
And  joy  will  come  upon  their  house! 

But  thou, 

Journey  no  more  with  me,  because  I  do 
Nought  of  myself,  but  all  by  Allah's  will." 

EDWIN   ARNOLD. 

- 

K/T  J    il          T^  *    7 

Moses  and  the  Dervish 

GOD,   that  heaven's  seven    climates   hath   spread 
forth, 

To  every  creature,  even  as  is  the  worth, 
The  lot  apportions,  and  the  use  of  things. 
If  to   the  creeping  cat  were  given  wings 
No  sparrow's  egg  would  ever  be  a  bird. 

Moses  the  Prophet,  who  with  God  conferred, 
Beheld  a  Dervish,  that,  for  dire  distress 
And  lack  of  clothes  to  hide  his  nakedness 
Buried   his  body   in   the   desert  sand. 
This  Dervish  cried: 

"O  Moses,  whom  the  Hand 

Of  the   Most  High  God  favors!  make  thy  prayer 
That  he  may  grant  me  food  and  clothes  to  wear 
Who  knows  the  misery  of  me  and  the  need." 

Then  Moses  prayed  to  God,  that  he  would  feed 
And  clothe  that  Dervish. 

Nine  days  after  this, 
Returning  from  Mount  Sinai  in  bliss, 
Having  beheld  God's  face,  the  Prophet  met 
The  Dervish  in  the  hands  of  Justice,  set 
Between  two  officers;  and  all  about 
The  rabble  followed  him  with  hoot  and  shout 
And  jeer. 

The  Prophet  asked  of  those  that  cried, 
"What  hath  befallen  this  man?" 

And  they  replied, 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

"He  hath  drunk  wine,  and  having  slain  a  man, 
Is  going  to  the  death." 

Moses  began 

To  praise  the  Maker  of  the  Universe, 
Seeing  that  his  prayer,  though  granted,  proved  per- 
verse, 

Since  God  to  every  living  soul  sets  forth 
The  circumstance  according  to  the  worth. 

OWEN  MEREDITH. 

The  "Moses"  of  Michael  Angela 

A  ND  who  is  He  that  sculptured  in  huge  stone, 

**       Sitteth  a  giant,  where  no  works  arrive 
Of  straining  Art,  and  hath  so  prompt  and  live 

The  lips,   I  hasten  to  their  very  tone? 

Moses  is  He — Ay,  that  makes  clearly  known 
The  chin's  thick  boast,   and  brow's  prerogative 
Of  double  ray;  so  did  the  mountain  give 

Back  to  the  world  that  visage,  God  was  grown 

Great  part  of!  Such  was  he  when  he  suspended 
Round  him  the  sounding  and  vast  waters;  such 
When  he  shut  sea  on  sea  o'er  Mizraim. 

And  ye,  his  hordes,  a  vile  calf  raised,  and  bended 
The  knee?     This  Image  had  ye  raised,  not  much 
Had  been  your  error  in  adoring  Him. 

ROBERT  BROWNING. 

Moses  on  Mount  Nebo 

I 

LJE  stood  on  Nebo's  lofty  crest, 
**       Above  him  arched  the  azure  sky, 
Beneath  the  valley  was  at  rest, 

A  gem  in  Nature's  pageantry; 
Behind  him  lay  the  toil  of  years, 

And  chains  of  bondage  meekly  borne, 
And  pathways  moistened  with  his  tears — 

A  life  of  many  a  pleasure  shorn. 

77 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

II 

No  more  for  him  the  drowsy  Nile, 

Where  long  had  slaved  God's  chosen  race, 
No  more  the  swarth  Egyptian's  guile, 

The  trembling  hand,  the  haggard  face; 
For  he  had  led  his  brethren  far 

Beyond  the  whip,  beyond  the  chain, 
And  now  beneath  the  brightest  star 

Lay  Canaan  sweet  with  hill  and  plain. 

Ill 

He  saw  that  land  whose  portals  fair 

Would  never  open  to  his  tread, 
And  Jordan  old  was  flowing  where 

He   ne'er   would   rest   his  weary   head ; 
And  Amram's  son  from  Nebo's  crest 

Gazed  long  upon   the  matchless  scene; 
An  untold  longing  filled  his  breast 

To  reach  the  promised  pastures  green. 

IV 

He  knew  that  on  the  mountain  high, 

Far  from  the  vale  that  slept  below, 
'Neath  heaven's  softest  canopy 

The  ceaseless  years  would  o'er  him  go; 
That  Israel,  anchored  safe  at  last, 

Where  Jordan  singing,  sought  the  sea. 
With  toil  and  danger  ever  past, 

Would,  thro'  God's  watchful  care,  be  free. 

V 

In  sweet  communion  with  his  God 

Stood   Israel's  leader  true  and  bold; 
His  grave  was  not  to  be  the  sod 

Where  Canaan's  rose  its  petals  fold; 
He  bowed  his  head  and  looked  no  more, 

Perchance  he  for  a  moment  wept; 
He  knew  the  pilgrimage  was  o'er. 

God  touched  him  gently  and  he  slept. 

78 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

VI 

No  mortal  eye  hath  found  the  place 

Where  Moses  laid  his  mantle  down. 
For  high  on  Nebo's  rugged  face, 

His  service  done,  he  won  the  crown; 
Jehovah  made  that  lonely  grave 

And  left  His  servant  old  alone; 
Afar  from  Jordan's  sunlit  wave 

He  sleeps,  his  sepulchre  unknown. 

I.  SOLOMON. 


The  Kiss  of  God 

"W7HEN  the  great  leader's  task  was  done, 
**          He  stood  on  Pisgah's  height, 
And  saw,  far  off,  the  westering  sun 
Drop  down  into  the  night; 

Saw,  too,  the  land  in  which,  alas! 

He  might  not  hope  to  dwell 
Spread  fairly  out;  and  then — for  so 

Talmudic  legends  tell — . 

Jehovah  touched  him  and  he  slept; 

And  smooth  the  mountain  sod 
Was  levelled  o'er  him  and  'twas  writ 

"Died  by  the  kiss  of  God." 

The  kiss  of  God!    We  talk  of  death 

In  many  learned  ways, — 
We  know  so  much, — which  of  them  all 

So  simple  in  its  praise 

As  this  which   from   the  oldest   days 

Has   treasured   been   apart, 
To  comfort  in  this  heel  of  time 

The  mourner's  aching  heart  ? 

79 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

We  walk  our  bright  or  desert  road 

And,  when  we  reach  the  end, 
Bends  o'er  us  with   gentle   face 

The  Universal  Friend. 

Upon  our  lips  his  own  are  laid: 

We  do  not  strive  or  cry. 
The  kiss  of  God !     Upon  that  kiss 

It  is  not  hard  to  die. 

JOHN   WHITE   CHADWICK. 


Weep,  Children  of  Israel 


weep  for  him,  the  man  of  God,- 
In  yonder  vale  he  sunk  to  rest; 
But  none  of  earth  can  point  the  sod 

That  flowers  above  his  sacred  breast. 
Weep,  children  of  Israel,  weep! 

His  doctrine  fell  like  heaven's  rain, 

His  words  refreshed  like  heaven's  dew  — 

Oh,  ne'er  shall  Israel  see  again 
A  chief,  to  God  and  her  so  true. 

Weep,  children  of  Israel,  weep! 

Remember  ye  his  parting  gaze, 

His  farewell  song  by  Jordan's  tide, 

When,  full  of  glory  and  of  days, 

He  saw  the  promised  land  —  and  died. 

Weep,  children  of  Israel,  weep! 

Yet  died  he  not  as  men  who  sink, 
Before  our  eyes  to  soulless  clay  ; 

But,  changed  to  spirit,  like  a  wink 
Of  summer  lightning  pass'd  away. 

Weep,  children  of  Israel,  weep! 

THOMAS  MOORE. 

80 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


'No  Man  Knoiveth  His  Sepulchre" 

YJT7HEN  he  who,  from  the  scourge  of  wrong, 
**         Aroused  the  Hebrew  tribes  to  fly, 
Saw  the  fair  region  promised  long, 
And  bowed  him  on  the  hills  to  die; 

God  made  his  grave,  to  men  unknown, 
Where  Moab's  rocks  a  vale  infold, 

And  laid  the  aged  seer  alone, 

To  slumber  while  the  world  grows  old. 

Thus  still,  whene'er  the  good  and  just 
Close  the  dim  eye  on  life  and  pain, 

Heaven  watches  o'er  their  sleeping  dust 
Till  the  pure  spirit  comes  again. 

Though  nameless,  trampled,  and  forgot, 

His  servant's  humble  ashes  lie, 
Yet  God  has  marked  and  scaled  the  spot, 

To  call  its  inmate  to  the  sky. 

WILLIAM  CULLEN  BRYANT. 


Burial  of  Moses 

"And  he  buried  him  in  a  valley  in  the  land  of  Moab, 
over  against  Beth-peer;  but  no  man  knoweth  of  his 
sepulchre  unto  this  day." 

DY  Nebo's  lonely  mountain, 

On   this  side  Jordan's  wave, 
In  a  vale  in  the  land  of  Moab, 

There  lies  a  lonely  grave; 
But  no  man  built  that  sepulchre, 

And  no  man  saw  it  e'er; 
For  the  angels  of  God  upturned  the  sod, 

And  laid  the  dead  man  there, 

81 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

That  was  the  grandest  funeral 

That  ever  passed  on  earth ; 
Yet  no  man  heard  the  trampling, 

Or  saw  the  train  go  forth; 
Noiselessly  as  the  daylight 

Comes  when  the  night  is  done, 
And  the  crimson  streak  on  ocean's  cheek 

Grows  into  the  great  sun; 

Noiselessly  as  the  spring  time 

Her  crown  of  verdure  weaves, 
And  all  the  trees  on  all  the  hills 

Unfold  their  thousand  leaves: 
So   without  sound   of  music 

Or  voice  of  them   that  wept, 
Silently  down  from  the  mountain's  crown 

The  great  procession  swept. 

Perchance  the  bald  old  eagle 

On  gray  Beth-peor's  height 
Out  of  his  rocky  eyry 

Looked  on  the  wondrous  sight; 
Perchance   the   lion   stalking 

Still  shuns  that  hallowed  spot; 
For  beast  and  bird  have  seen  and  heard 

That  which  man  knoweth  not. 

But,  when  the  warrior  dieth, 

His  comrades  of  the  war, 
With  arms  reversed  and  muffled  drums, 

Follow  the   funeral   car: 
They  show  the  banners  taken  ; 

They  tell  his  battles  won; 
And   after  him  lead  his  masterless  steed, 

While  peals  the  minute-gun. 

Amid  the  noblest  of  the  land 

Men  lay  the  sage  to  rest, 
And    give   the   bard   an   honored   place, 

With  costly  marbles  drest, 

82 


BIBLICAL   AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

In  the  great  minster  transept 

Where  lights  like  glories  fall, 
And  the  sweet  choir  sings,  and  the  organ  rings 

Along  the  emblazoned  hall. 

This  was  the  bravest  warrior 

That  ever  buckled  sword; 
This  the  most  gifted  poet 

That  ever  breathed  a  word; 
And  never  earth's  philosopher 

Traced  with  his  golden  pen 
On  the  deathless  page  truths  half  so  sage 

As  he  wTrote  down  for  men. 

And  had  he  not  high  honor? — 

The  hillside  for  a  pall! 
To  lie  in  state  while  angels  wait, 
,      With  stars  for  tapers  tall! 
And  the  dark  rock-pines,  like  tossing  plumes, 

Over  his  bier  to  wave, 
A~nd  God's  own  hand,  in  that  lonely  land, 
To  lay  him  in  his  grave! — 

In  that  strange  grave  without  a  name, 

Whence  his  uncoffined  clay 
Shall  break  again — O  wondrous  thought!— 

Before  the  judgment-day, 
And  stand,  with  glory  wrapped  around, 

On  the  hills  he  never  trod, 
And  speak  of  the  strife  that  won  our  life 

In  the  heavenly  peace  of  God. 

O  lonely  tomb  in  Moab's  land! 

O  dark  Beth-peor's  hill! 
Speak  to  these  curious  hearts  of  ours, 

And  teach  them  to  be  still: 
God  hath  his  mysteries  of  grace, 

Ways  that  we  cannot  tell, 
He  hides  them  deep,  like  the  secret  sleep 

Of  him  he  loved  so  well. 

CECIL  FRANCES  ALEXANDER. 

83 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ode  to  the  Statue  of  Moses 

The  Masterpiece  of  Michael  Angelo 

OTATUE!   whose  giant  limbs 

^  Old  Buanorotti  planned, 

And  Genius  carved  with  meditative  hand, 
Thy  dazzling  radiance  dims 

The  best  and   brightest  boast  of  sculpture's  favorite 
land. 

What  dignity  adorns 

That  beard's  prodigious  sweep! 

That  forehead,   awful   with  mysterious  horns 
And  cogitation  deep, 

Of  some  uncommon  mind  the  rapt  beholder  warns. 

In  that  proud  semblance,  well 

My  soul  can   recognize 
The  prophet  fresh  from  converse  with  the  skies; 

Nor  is  it  hard  to  tell 
The  liberator's  name,  the  guide  of  Israel. 

Well   might   the   deep    respond 

Obedient  to  that  voice, 
When  on  the  Red  Sea  shore  he  waved  his  wand 

And  bade  the   tribes  rejoice, 

Saved    from    the   yawning    gulf    and    the    Egyptian's 
bond! 

Fools!  in  the  wilderness 

Ye  raised  a  calf  of  gold, 
Had  ye  then  worshipped  what  I  now  behold 

Your  crime  had  been  far  less — 
For  ye  had  bent  the  knee  to  one  of  godlike  mould! 

ANONYMOUS. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


'Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy  Servant  HearetK 

LJUSH'D  was  the  evening  hymn, 
**•       The  temple  courts  were  dark; 
The  lamp  was  burning  dim 

Before  the  sacred  ark: 
When  suddenly  a  voice  Divine 
Rang  through  the  silence  of  the  shrine. 

The  old  man,  meek  and  mild, 

The  priest   of   Israel   slept; 
His  watch,  the  temple  child, 

The  little  Levite  kept. 
And  what  from   Eli's  sense  was  seal'd 
The  Lord  to  Hannah's  son  reveal'd. 

Oh!  give  me  Samuel's  ear, 

The  open  ear,  O   Lord. 
Alive  and  quick  to  hear 

Each  whisper  of  Thy  word; 
Like  him  to  answer  at  Thy  call 
And  to  obey  Thee  first  of  all. 

Oh!  give  me  Samuel's  heart, 

A  lovely   heart   that  waits; 
Where  in  thy  house  Thou  art, 

Or  watches  at  Thy  gates. 
By   day   and    night,    a   heart   that   still 
Moves  at  the  breathing  of  Thy  will. 

Oh!  give  me  Samuel's  mind, 

A  sweet  unmurmuring  faith, 
Obedient  and  resign'd. 

To  Thee  in  life  and  death. 
That  I  may  read  with  child-like  eyes, 
Truths  that  are  hidden  from  the  wise. 

JAMES  DRUMMOND  BORTHWICK. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Jephthah's  Daughter 

CINCE  our  country,  .our  God — oh,  my  sire! 
^  Demand  that  thy  daughter  expire  ; 
Since  thy  triumph  was  bought  by  thy  vow — . 
Strike  the  bosom  that's  bared  for  thee  now! 

And  the  voice  of  my  mourning  is  o'er, 
And  the  mountains  behold  me  no  more. 
If  the  hand  that  I  love  lay  me  low 
There  cannot  be  pain  in  the  blow! 

And  of  this,  O  my  father!  be  sure — 

That  the  blood  of  thy  child  is  as1  pure 

As  the  blessing  I  beg  ere  it  flow, 

And  the  last  thought  that  soothes  me  below. 

Though   the  virgins  of  Salem  lament, 
Be   the  judge  and   the  hero  unbent! 
I  have  won  the  great  battle  for  thee, 
And   my   father   and   country   are   free. 

When  this  blood  of  thy  giving  hath  gush'd, 
When   the   voice  that   thou  lovest   is  hush'd, 
Let  my  memory  still  be  thy  pride; 
And  forget  not  I  smiled  as  I  died. 

LORD  BYRON. 


Jephthah's  Daughter 

"And  it  became  a  custom  in  Israel  that  the  daugh- 
ters of  Israel  went  from  year  to  year  to  lament  for  the 
daughter  of  Jephthah,  the  Gileadite,  four  days  in  the 
year." — Judges  xi. 

HTHERE  is  a  lonely  mountain-top, 

A  curse  upon  it  lies; 
No  blade  of  grass  upon  it  grows, 
No  flowers  greet  the  eyes. 

86 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

But  cold,  bare  cliffs  of  granite  stand, 

Like  sentinels  of  stone, 
Year  after  year,  through  wind  and  snow, 

Around  a  craggy  throne. 

And  on  the  topmost,  coldest  peak 

There  is  a  spot  of  woe — 
A  little  tomb,  an  old  gray  tomb, 

Raised    centuries   ago. 

. 
For  there  within  her  grave  she  lies 

Plucked  in  an  evil  hour — 
The  martyred   daughter  of  her  race, 
Israel's  fairest  flower! 

There  Jephthah's  maid  forever  sleeps — 
The  victim  that  he  vowed — 

But,  four  days  in  the  dreary  year, 
The  loneliness  is  loud. 

And   Gilead's  mourning   daughters 
Up  from  the  valley  throng — 

The  mountain   glens  reverberate 
With  sorrow  and  with  song! 

Oh,  loud  and  long  and  wild  they  wail 

The  light  untimely  spent, 
And  dance  upon  the  mountain-top 

A  choral  of  lament. 

And  as  they  dance  they  seem  to  see 

Another  dancer,  too, 
And  hear,   amidst  the  measure  rise, 

The  voice  of  her  they  rue! 

JEHOASH. 
(Translated  by  Alter  Brody.) 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Samson 
(From  "Samson  Agonistes") 

O   WHEREFORE  was  my  birth  from  heaven  fore- 
told 

Twice  by  an  angel,  who  at  last,  in  sight 
Of  both  my  parents,  all  in  flames  ascended 
From  off  the  altar,  where  an  offering  burned, 
As  in  a  fiery  column  charioting 
His  godlike  presence,  and  from  some  great  act 
Or  benefit  revealed  to  Abraham's  race? 
Why  was  my  breeding  ordered  and  prescribed 
As  of  a  person  separate  to  God, 
Destined  for  great  exploits,  if  I  must  die 
Betrayed,  captive,  and  both  my  eyes  put  out, 
Made  of  my  enemies  the  scorn  and  gaze; 
To  grind  in  brazen  fetters  under  task 
With     this     Heaven-gifted     strength?       O     glorious 

strength, 

Put  to  the  labor  of  a  beast,  debased 
Lower  than  bond-slave!     Promise  was,  that  I 
Should  Israel  from  Philistian  yoke  deliver; 
Ask  for  this  great  deliverer  now,  and  find  him 
Eyeless  in  Gaza,  at  the  mill  with  slaves, 
Himself  in  bonds  under  Philistine  yoke. 

JOHN   MILTON. 


Ruth 

CHE  stood  breast-high  amid  the  corn, 
^       Clasped  by  the  golden  light  of  morn, 
Like  the  sweetheart  of  the  sun, 
Who  many  a  glowing  kiss  had  won. 

On  her  cheek  an  autumn  flush 
Deeply  ripened ; — such  a  blush 
In  the  midst  of  brown  was  born 
Like  red  poppies  grown  with  corn. 

88 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Round  her  eyes  her  tresses  fell, — 
Which  were  blackest  none  could  tell; 
But  long  lashes  veiled  a  light 
That  had  else  been  all  too  bright. 

And  her  hat  with  shaded  brim, 
Made  her  tressy  forehead  dim — 
Thus  she  stood  among  the  stocks, 
Praising  God  with  sweetest  looks. 

Sure,  I  said,  Heaven  did  not  mean 
Where  I  reap  thou  shouldst  but  glean; 
Lay  thy  sheaf  adown  and  come 
Share  my  harvest  and  my  home. 

THOMAS  HOOD. 


Ruth  and  Naomi 

FAREWELL?     Oh,  no!     It  may  not  be; 

My  firm  resolve  is  heard  on  high ! 
I  will  not  breathe  farewell  to  thee, 

Save  only  in  my  dying  sigh. 
I  know  not  that  I  now  could  bear 

Forever  from  thy  side  to  part, 
And  live  without  a  friend  to  share 

The  treasured  sadness  of  my  heart. 

I  will  not  boast  the  martyr's  might 

To  leave  my  home  without  a  sigh, — 
The  dwelling  of  my  past  delight, 

The  shelter  where  I  hoped  to  die. 
In  such  a  duty,  such  an  hour, 

The  weak  are  strong,  the  timid  brave, 
For  love  puts  on  an  angel's  power, 

And  faith  grows  mightier  than  the  grave. 

For  rays  of  heaven  serenely  bright 
Have  gilt  the  caverns  of  the  tomb; 

89 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  I  can  ponder  with  delight 

On  all  its  gathering  thoughts  of  gloom. 

Then,  mother,  let  us  haste  away 

To  that  blest  land   to   Israel   given, 

Where  faith  unsaddened  by  decay 
Dwells  nearest  to  its  native  heaven. 

For  where  thou  goest,  I  will  go; 

With  thine  my  earthly  lot  is  cast. 
In  pain  and  pleasure,  joy  and  woe, 

Will  I  attend  thee  to  the  last. 
That  hour  shall  find  me  by  thy  side, 

And  where  thy  grave  is,  mine  shall  be; 
Death  can  but  for  a  time  divide 

My  firm  and  faithful  heart  from  thee. 

WILLIAM  OLIVER  BOURN  PEABODY. 

Ruth 

•[    EAVE  thee  alone  in  sorrow!     Ask  me  not, 
*-**       Oh,  mother  of  my  dead  love,  I  entreat; 
Although  I  fain  would  linger  near  the  spot 

Where  rests  one  I  on  earth  no  more  shall  greet. 

Should  we  who  shared  our  pleasures  side  by  side, 
Apart  in  sorrow  and  bereavement  be? 

No;  I  will  cleave  to  thee,  whate'er  betide, 

Knowing  no  comfort,  unless  shared  with  thee. 

Then  seek  not  to  divide  my  path  from  thine ; 

Tread  not  alone  thy  journey,  full  of  woe; 
For  his  dear  sake  thy  people  shall  be  mine, 

And  whither  thou  goest  will  I  also  go. 

H.  HYMAN. 

Ruth 

""THE  plume-like  swaying  of  the  auburn  corn 
•^     By  soft  winds  to  a  dreamy  motion  fann'd, 
Still  brings  me  back  thine  image — Oh!  forlorn 
Yet  not  forsaken  Ruth — I  see  thee  stand 

90 


BIBLICAL  AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Lone   'midst  the  gladness  of  the  harvest  band— 

Lone  as  the  wood-bird  on  the  ocean's  foam, 
Fall'n   in   its  weariness.     Thy  fatherland 

Smiles  far  away !  yet  to  the  sense-  of  home, 
That  finest,  purest,  which  can  recognize 

Home  in  affection's  glance,  for  ever  true 
Beats  thy  calm  heart;  and  if  thy  gentle  eye 

Gleam  tremulous  through  tears,  'tis  not  to  rue 
Those  words,  immortal  in  their  deep  Love's  tone, 

"Thy  people  and  thy  God  shall  be  mine  own." 

FELICIA  HEMANS. 


The  Moabitess 

•  • 

CWEET  Moab  gleaner  on  old  Israel's  plain, 

Thy  simple  story  moveth  like  a  power. 
Thy  pure,  calm  face  looks  from  the  ripened  grain, 
Wherein  thou  gleanest,  on  our  toil  and  pain, 
And  in  the  light  of  thy  soft  eyes  again 

Our  dead  lives  bud  and  blossom  into  flower. 
But  lives  like  thine,  sweet  Ruth,  are  holy  things, 

Rich,  simple,  earnest  in  their  wealth  of  duty; — 
God's  love  forever  to  their  music  sings, 
His  angels  shield  them  with  their  sheltering  wings, 
His  spirit  truth  and  trust  and  comfort  brings, 

And  God  Himself  smiles  on  their  godlike  beauty. 

PHILLIPS  BROOKS. 

Ruth  and  Naomi 

A  RABBI'S  child  and  Puritan's  once  met; 
**•  And,  like  those  fabled  mates,  with  each  a 

wing, 

That  only  soar  when  they  together  cling, 
These  comrades  happy  joined  in  mutual  debt 
For  rich  ancestral  stores  most  alien.  Yet 

As  greatest  pleasures  know  no  lasting  spring — 
Death   came ;   but  sunny   Mem'ry  comforting, 
In  tears  with  brightest  rays  her  rainbow  set. 

91 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Might  Naomi  not  often  glean  with  Ruth, 
And  thus  give  time  a  double  joy  and  worth? 

It  takes  the  each  and  all  from  every  clime 
To  cull  auspiciously  the  seeds  of  truth; 
To  win  anew  a  Paradise  for  earth 

And  reap  in  joy  the  harvest — truth  sublime. 

LOWELL  COURIER. 


Song  of  Saul  Before  His  Last  Battle 

YJT7ARRIORS  and  chiefs!  should  the  shaft  or  the 
^*  sword 

Pierce  me  in  leading  the  host  of  the  Lord, 
Heed  not  the  corpse,  though  a  king's,  in  your  path, 
Bury  your  steel  in  the  bosom  of  Gath! 

Thou  who  art  bearing  my  buckler  and  bow, 
Should  the  soldiers  of  Saul  look  away  from  the  foe, 
Stretch  me  that  moment  in  blood  at  thy  feet! 
Mine  be  the  doom  which  they  dared  not  to  meet. 

Farewell  to  others,  but  never  we  part, 
Heir  to  my  royalty,  son  of  my  heart! 
Bright  is  the   diadem,   boundless  the  sway, 
Or  kingly  the  death,  which  awaits  us  to-day. 

LORD  BYRON. 


The  Field  of  Gilboa 

HTHE   sun   of   the   morning  looked    forth   from   his 
•*•  throne 

And  beamed  on  the  face  of  the  dead  and  the  dying, 
For  the  yell  and  the  strife,  like  the  thunder,  had  flown, 
And  red  on  Gilboa  the  carnage  was  lying. 

And  there  lay  the  husband  that  lately  was  prest 
To  the  beautiful  cheek  that  was  tearless  and  ruddy, 

But  the  claws  of  the  eagle  were  fixed  in  his  breast 
And  the  beak  of  the  vulture  was  busy  and  bloody. 

92 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

And  there  lay  the  son  of  the  widowed  and  sad, 
Who  yesterday  went  from  her  dwelling  forever, 

Now  the  wolf  of  the  hills  a  sweet  carnival  had 

On  the  delicate  limbs  that  had  ceased  not  to  quiver. 

And  there  came  the  daughter,  a  delicate  child, 

To  hold  up  the  head  that  was  breathless  and  hoary, 

And  there  came  the  maiden,  all  frantic  and  wild 
To  kiss  the  loved  lips  that  were  gasping  and  gory. 

And  there  came  the  consort  that  struggled  in  vain 
To  stem  the  red  tide  of  a  spouse  that  bereft  her, 

And  there  came  a  mother  that  sunk  'mid  the  slain 
To  weep  o'er  the  last  human  stay  that  was  left  her. 

Oh !  bloody  Gilboa,  a  curse  ever  lie 

Where  the  king  and  his  people  were  slaughtered  to- 
gether, 

May  the  dew  and  the  rain  leave  thy  herbage  to  die, 
Thy  flocks  to  decay  and  thy  forests  to  wither. 

WILLIAM  KNOX. 


Kynge    David,    Hys    Lamente    Over    the 

Bodyes   of  Kynge   Saul   of  Israel 

and  His  Sonne  Jonathan 

The  beautye  of  the  lande  ys  slayne, 
How  lowlye  are  the  myghte  layne! 

I 

OW  lette  us  shede  the  brinie  teare, 

And  lette  us  heave  the  pityinge  moane! — 
But  whyle  we  strowe  the  willowe  biere 
For  Ysrael's  pryde  to  lye  upon; 

Oh !  lette  not  Gath  the  tidynges  heare 
Oh,  tell  yt  not  yn  Askalon, 
Lest  every  wayling  sounde  of  ours 
Rayse  triumpe-shoutes  in  heathen  bowers! 

93 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


II 

May  raine  or  dew  droppe  neuer  lyghte 

Upon  thy  mountaynes,  Gilboa! 
May  offerynge  flame  ne'er  crowne  thyne  heigh  te 

In  deepe  of  nyght  or  noon  of  daye ! 
Where  worsted  yn  unholie  fyghte 

The  myghtfe  flung  hys  shielde  away; 
Cast  meanlie  on  the  fouled  greene, 
As  he  had  ne'er  anoynted  beene ! 

i 

III 

From  battel  fyelde  they  turned  them  ne'er 

With  bowe  unstrunge,  or  blade  untryede — 
Pleasant  They  Were  Yn  Life,  and  Fayre 
Nor  Yette   Did  Deathe  Theyre   Loues  Divide — 
Theyre  nervous  armes  mighte  scathelesse  dare 

To  bearde  the  lyon  yn  hys  pryde ; 
Yette  theyre  lyghte  limbs  made  fleeter  speede 
Than  eagles  stoopynge  o'er  the  meade. 

IV 

Ye  daughteres  of  the  lande,  deplore> 
For  Saule  the  bounteous  and  the  bolde, 

Whose  kynglie  hande  hath  founde  you  store 
Of  crimson  geare  and  clothe  of  golde. 

Alack!  that  hande  can  giue  noe  more, 
That  worthie  harte  ys  stille  and  colde; 

Unknown  amongst  the   deade  and   dyinge, 

The  mightie  with  the  mean  are  lying! — 

v 

' 
Ah!  Jonathan!  my  brother!  lorne 

And  friendless  I  must  looke  to  be ! — 
That  harte  whose  woe  thou  ofte  hast  borne 

Is  sore  and  strickene  nowe  for  thee. 
Young  brydegroome's  loue  on  brydal  morne, 
Oh!  yt  was  lyghte  to  thyne  for  me. 

94 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Thy  tymelesse  lotte  I  now  must  playne, 
Even  on  thyne  owne  high  places  slayne ! 
How  lowlie  now  the  mightie  are ! 
How  still  the  weapons  of  the  war. 

SIR  PHILIP  SIDNEY. 


David's   Lament 

I     ET  the  voice  of  the  mourner  be  heard  on  the  moun- 
*-l  tain, 

And  woe  breathe  her  sigh  over  Besor's  blue  wave; 
Upon  Gilboa's  hill  there  is  opened  a  fountain, 

And   its    fast-flowing   stream    is   the   blood   of    the 

brave ! 
Oh !  dry  be  that  hill  from  the  rains  of  the  morning, 

On  its  brow  may  no  dew  of  the  evening  fall, 
But  the  warriors  of  Israel,  from  conquest  returning, 

View  herbless  and  withered  the  death-place  of  Saul! 
From  the  borders  of  Judah  let  gladness  be  banished, 

Ye  maidens  of  Israel,  be  deep  in  your  woe ; 
For  the  pride  of  the  mighty  in  battle  is  vanished, 

The  chief  of  the  sword,  and  the  lord  of  the  bow. 
And  long  shall  the  chieftains  of  Gilead  deplore  them, 

And  mourn  the  dark  fate  of  the  high  and  the  brave; 
The  song  of   the  minstrel  will  oft  be  breathed  o'er 
them, 

And  holy  the  tear  that  shall  fall  on  their  grave. 
ROBERT  STEPHEN  HAWKER. 


David  and  Jonathan 

the  brow  of  Gilboa  is  war's  bloody  stain, 
The  pride  and  the  beauty  of  Israel  is  slain; 
O  publish  it  not  in  proud  Askelon's  street, 
Nor  tell  it  in  Gath,  lest  in  triumph  they  meet, 

For  how  are  the  mighty  fallen! 

95 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  mount  of  Gilboa,  no  dew  shalt  thou  see, 
Save  the  blood  of  the  Philistine  fall  upon  thee; 
For  the  strong-pinioned  eagle  of  Israel  is  dead, 
Thy  brow  is  his  pillow,  thy  bosom  his  bed! 

O  how  are  the  mighty  fallen! 

Weep,  daughters  of  Israel,  weep  o'er  his  grave! 
What  breast  will  now  pity,  what  arm  will  now  save? 
O  my  brother !  my  brother !  this  heart  bleeds  for  thee, 
For  thou  wert  a  friend  and  a  brother  to  me! 

Ah,  how  are  the  mighty  fallen! 
LUCRETIA  DAVIDSON. 


The  Lamentation  of  David  Over  Saul  and 

Jonathan  His  Son 

II.  Sam.  i:  17. 

I 
'HY  beauty,  Israel,  is  gone 


T 


Slain  in  the  places  high  is  he; 
The  mighty  now  are  overthrown; 

O  thus  how  cometh  it  to  be ! 
Let  not  this  news  their  streets  throughout 

In  Gath  or  Askalon  be  told  ; 
For  fear  Philistia's  daughters  flout, 

Lest  vaunt  the  uncircumcised  should. 

II 

On  you,  hereafter,  let  no  dew, 

You  mountains  of  Gilboa,  fall ; 
Let  there  be  neither  showers  on  you 

Nor  fields  that  breed  an  offering  shall. 
For  there  with  shame  away  was  thrown 

The  target  of  the  strong  (alas), 
The  shield  of  Saul,  e'en  as  of  one, 

That  ne'er  with  oil  anointed  was. 

96 


BIBLICAL  AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

III 

Nor  from  their  blood  that  slaughter'd  lay, 

Nor  from  the  fat  of  strong  men  slain, 
Came  Jonathan  his  bow  away, 

Nor  drew  forth  Saul  his  sword  in  vain. 
In  lifetime  they  were  lovely  fair, 

In  death  they  undivided  are. 
More  swift  than  eagles  of  the  air 

And  stronger  they  than  lions  were. 

IV 
Weep,  Israel's  daughters,  weep  for  Saul, 

Who  you  with  scarlet  hath  array 'd; 
Who  clothed  you  with  pleasures  all 

And  on  your  garments  gold  hath  laid. 
How  comes  it  he,  that  mighty  was 

The  foil  in  battle  doth  sustain! 
Thou,  Jonathan,  oh  thou   (alas) 

Upon  thy  places  high  wert  slain. 

V 

And  much  distressed  is  my  heart, 

My  brother  Jonathan,  for  thee; 
My  very  dear  delight  thou  wert, 

And  wonderous  was  thy  love  to  me; 
So  wonderous,  it  surpassed  far 

The  love  of  woman  (every  way). 
Oh,  how  the  mighty  fallen  are! 

How  warlike  instruments  decay! 

GEORGE   WITHER. 

Jehovah-Nissi.     The  Lord  My  Banner 

D  Y  whom  was  David  taught 
To  aim  the  deadly  blow, 
When  he  Goliath  fought, 

And  laid  the  Hittite  low? 
Nor  sword  nor  spear  the  stripling  took, 
But  chose  a  pebble  from  the  brook. 

97 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

'Twas  Israel's  God  and  King 

Who  sent  him  to  the  fight; 
Who  gave  him  strength  to  sling, 

And  skill  to  aim  aright. 
Ye  feeble  saints,  your  strength  endures 
Because  young  David's  God  is  yours. 

Who  ordered  Gideon  forth, 

To  storm  the  invaders'  camp 
With  arms  of  little  worth, 

A  pitcher  and  a  lamp  ? 
The  trumpets  made  his  coming  known 
And  all  the  host  was  overthrown. 

Oh!  I  have  seen  the  day 

When  with  a  single  word, 
God  helping  me  to  say, 

"My  trust  is  in  the  Lord," 
My  soul  hath  quell'd  a  thousand  foes, 
Fearless  of  all  that  could  oppose. 

But  unbelief,  self-will, 

Self-righteousness  and  pride, 
How  often  do  they  steal 

My  weapon  from  my  side! 
Yet   David's   Lord,   and   Gideon's   friend, 
Will  help  his  servant  to  the  end. 

WILLIAM  COWPER. 


The  Song  of  David 

I— IE  sang  of  God,  the  mighty  source 

**•       Of  all  things, — that  stupendous  force, 

Of  which  all  strength  depends ; 
From  whose  right  arm,  beneath  whose  eyes, 
All  period,  power,  and  enterprise 

Commences,  reigns  and  ends. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  world,  the  clustering  spheres  he  made, 
The  glorious  light,  the  soothing  shade, 

Dale,  champaign,  grove  and  hill, 
The  multitudinous  abyss 
Where   secrecy  remains   in   bliss; 

And  wisdom  hides  her  skill. 

Tell  them  I  Am,  Jehovah  said 

To  Moses,  while  earth  heard  in  dread 

And  smitten  to  the  heart. 
At  once,  above,  beneath,  around, 
All  Nature  without  voice  or  sound, 

Replied,  "O  Lord  Thou  art." 

CHRISTOPHER  SHARP. 


The  Poet's  Soul 

you  know  the  poet's  soul, 
Why  he  doth  wondrous  sing? 
Come,  read  the  tale  the  Rabbis  told 
Of  Israel's  poet  king. 

From  the  orb  of  day,  a  golden  ray, 

From  the  moon  its  silvery  beam, 
From  the  twinkling  star  in  heaven  afar, 

He  took  its  shimmering  gleam. 

From  the  azure  sky  and  the  clouds  on  high, 
He  borrowed  their  mingled  glow, 

And  the  verdant  green, — all  the  varying  scene, 
Of  beauteous  world  below. 

And  the  grateful  praise  for  joyous  days, 

That  comes  from  out  the  heart, 
And  the  happy  smile  of  romping  child 

Yet  free  from  guile  and  art. 

99 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

From  the  murmuring  brook,  its  plaint  he  took 

Whilst  dreamily  flowing  by; 
And  the  whispering  breeze  amidst  the  trees 

Lent  its  low  and  mournful  sigh. 

And  the  dulcet  note  from  the  warbling  throat 

Of  the  lark  as  it  soared  on  high, 
And  the  linnet's  song,  as  it  sped  along 

'Neath  the  dome  of  the  summer  sky. 

And  blending  these  beautiful  things  one  with  the  other 

In  one  harmonious  whole, 
The  Lord  breathed  it  into  the  sovereign  bard, — 

For  such  was  King  David's  soul. 

ANONYMOUS. 


King  David 

Israel's  sweetest  singer  now  I  sing, 
His  holy  style  and  happy  victories; 
Whose  muse  was  dipt  in  that  inspiring  dew, 
Archangels  'stilled  from  the  breath  of  Jove, 
Decking  her  temples  with  the  glorious  flowers 
Heaven  rained  on  tops  of  Sion  and  Mount  Sinai. 
Upon  the  bosom  of  his  ivory  lute 
The  cherubim  and  angels  laid  their  breasts; 
And  when  his  consecrated  fingers  struck 
The  golden  wires  of  his  ravishing  harp, 
He  gave  alarum  to  the  host  of  heaven 
That,  wing'd  with  lightning,  brake  the  clouds,  and  cast 
Their  crystal  armour  at  his  conquering  feet. 
Of  this  sweet  poet,  Jove's  musician, 
And  of  his  beauteous  son,  I  press  to  sing: 
That  help,   divine  Adonai,   to  conduct 
Upon  the  wings  of  my  well-tempered  verse 
The  hearers'  minds  above  the  towers  of  heaven 
And  guide  them  so  in  this  thrice  haughty  flight, 

100 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Their  mounting  feathers  scorch  not  with  the  fire, 
That  none  can  temper  but  thy  holy  hand; 
To  thee  for  succour  flies  my  feeble  muse, 
And  at  thy  feet  her  iron  pen  doth  use. 

GEORGE  PEELE. 


To  David 

ISRAEL'S  God-anointed  warrior  king, 

Who  from  the  Lord  of  Hosts  thy  valor  drew, 
And  single-handed  dread  Goliath  slew 
(Though    boasting   he    swift    death    should    on    thee 

bring)  : 

Nor  e'en  yet  feared  when  wrathful  Saul  did  fling 
A  furious  javelin  at  thy  head  to  do 
Thee  harm,  for  Jesse's  son  that  one  well  knew 
Should  one  day  after  him  be  Israel's  king; 
'Tis  not  alone  thy  lion  strength  of  heart, 

Nor  yet  thy  triumphs  nor  thy  hero's  deeds 
That  lift  my  soul  in  boundless  love  to  thee! 
Ah,  no!     'Tis  this  in  but  the  lesser  part, 

For  more  than  all,  my  soul  exultant  feeds 
On  thine  more  precious  gift  of  psaltery. 

MIRIAM  SUHLER. 


David 

P\O  you  wonder  why  such  longing 

Transport,  pain  and  love  impassioned 
In  the  psalms  are  interwoven? 

Listen  how  God's  bard  was  fashioned. 

Murmurings  of  brooks  and  fountains, 

Passion  of  tempestuous  seas, 
Solemn  sounds  of  winds  and  forests, 

The  lorn  nightingale's  love-pleas. 

101 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  the  paeans  of  men  who  triumphed 
Over  grief  and  tempting  glee — - 

All  these  divers  notes  God  gathered 
From  the  fount  of  melody. 

And  He  fused  them  in  one  anthem, 

Bade  the  music  live,  and  lo ! 
David  rose,  he  who  to  mankind 

How  to  speak  with  God  did  show. 

Therefore  lives  there  such  a  yearning, 

Such  a  rapture,  exultation, 
In  the  songs  that  David  chanted 

For  the  heart  of  every  nation. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 

I 

r^j  TT  L  ,       j^        •; 

The  Harp  of  b ait/i 

AT  midnight,  so  the  rabbis  tell, 
When  David  slept  profound, 
A  harp  suspended  on  his  couch 

Gave  forth  a  trembling  sound. 

. 

Up  sprang  the  royal  bard  inspired, 

His  fingers  touched  the  chord, 
And  with  strange  gladness  in  his  soul, 

In  psalms  he  praised  the  Lord. 

At  midnight,  when  the  doubts  assail, 

And  anxious  fears  surround, 
O  Soul  of  mine,  amid  all  gloom, 

Give  forth  a  joyous  sound. 

O  bid  me  seize  the  harp  of  faith, 

And  sing  a  holy  strain, 
Until  each  day  my  life  and  thought 

Resound  in  glad  refrain. 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 

102 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


The  Harp  of  David 


\W"HEN  the  night  her  vision  is  weaving 

With*  moonlight  and  starlight  for  warp, 
The  King  in  his  chamber  arises 
And  wakens  the  voice  of  his  harp. 

He  sees  not  the  hands  of  him  playing, 

He  hears  but  a  melody  sweet; 
He  hears  but  the  heart  of  him  beating 

With  a  musical,  magical  beat. 

He  gazes  out  through  the  window 

On  the  world  in  beauty  bedight  — 
Forgotten  the  throne  and  the  sceptre 

In  a  holier,  higher  delight! 

He  sees  like  a  picture  before  him, 

The  quiet,  green  fields  where  he  spent 

His  youthful  years  as  a  shepherd, 
His  only  palace  —  a  tent  — 

His  sceptre  —  the  flute  of  the  shepherd, 

Carved  of  the  cedar-wood  hard; 
His  fortune  and  lonely  treasure  — 

The  soulful  pride  of  the  bard. 

Then  pours  he  his  soul  on  the  harp-strings  — 

Forgetful  of  sorrow  and  pain  — 
The  old,  gray  monarch  of  Judah 
Is  a  youthful  Poet  again! 

JEHOASH. 
(Translated  by  Alter  Brody.) 

• 

103 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 
Absalom 


THE  pall  was  settled.     He  who  -slept  beneath 
1    Was  straighten'd  for  the  grave ;  and,  as  the  folds 
Sunk  to  the  still  proportions,  they  betray'd 
The  matchless  symmetry  of  Absalom. 
His  hair  was  yet  unshorn,  and  silken  curls 
Were  floating  round  the  tassels  as  they  sway'd 
To  the  admitted  air,  as  glossy  now 
As  when,  in  hours  of  gentle  dalliance,  bathing 
The  snowy  fingers  of  Judea's  daughters. 
His  helm  was  at  his  feet:  his  banner,  soil'd 
With  trailing  through  Jerusalem,  was  lajd, 
Reversed,  behind  him :  and  the  jewell'd  hilt, 
Whose  diamonds  lit  the  passage  of  his  blade, 
Rested,  like  mockery,  on  his  cover'd  brow. 
The  soldiers  of  the  king  trod  to  and  fro, 
Clad  in  trie  garb  of  battle ;  and  their  chief, 
The  mighty  Joab,  stood  beside  the  bier, 
And  gazed  upon  the  dark  pall  steadfastly, 
As  if  he  fear'd  the  slumberer  might  stir. 
A  slow  step  startled  him.     He  grasp'd  his  blade 
As  if  a  trumpet  rang;  but  the  bent  form 
Of  David  enter'd,  and  he  gave  command, 
In  a  low  tone,  to  his  few  followers, 
And  left  him  with  his  dead.     The  king  stood  still 
Till  the  last  echo  died ;  then,  throwing  off 
The  sackcloth  from  his  brow,  and  laying  back 
The  pall  from  the  still  features  of  his  child, 
He  bow'd  his  head  upon  him,  and  broke  forth 
In  the  resistless  eloquence  of  woe. 

"Alas !  my  noble  boy !  that  thou  shouldst  die ! 

Thou,  who  wert  made  so  beautifully  fair! 
That  death  should  settle  in  thy  glorious  eye, 
And  leave  his  stillness  in  this  clustering  hair! 
How  could  he  mark  thee  for  the  silent  tomb! 

My  proud  boy,  Absalom! 

104 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

"Cold  is  thy  brow,  my  son !  and  I  am  chill, 
As  to  my  bosom  I  have  tried  to  press  thee! 

How  was  I  wont  to  feel  my  pulses  thrill, 

Like  a  rich  harp-string,  yearning  to  caress  thee, 

And  hear  thy  sweet  'My  Father'  from  these  dumb 
And  cold  lips,  Absalom! 

"But  death  is  on  thee.     I  shall  hear  the  gush 

Of  music,  and  the  voices  of  the  young ; 
And  life  will  pass  me  in  the  mantling  blush, 

And  the  dark  tresses  to  the  soft  winds  flung; — 
But  thou  no  more,  with  thy  sweet  voice,  shalt  come 

To  meet  me,  Absalom! 

"And  oh !  when  I  am  stricken,  and  my  heart, 
Like  a  bruised  reed,   is  waiting  to   be  broken, 

How  will  its  love  for  thee,  as  I  depart, 

Yearn  for  thine  ear  to  drink  its  last  deep  token! 

It  were  so  sweet,  amid  death's  gathering  gloom, 
To  see  thee,  Absalom ! 

"And  now,  farewell!     'Tis  hard  to  give  thee  up, 
With  death  so  like  a  gentle  slumber  on  thee; — 

And  thy  dark  sin ! — Oh !     I  could  drink  the  cup, 
If  from  this  woe  its  bitterness  had  won  thee. 

May  God  have  call'd  thee,  like  a  wanderer,  home, 
My  lost  boy,  Absalom !" 

He  cover'd  up  his  face,  and  bowed  himself 
A  moment  on  his  child :  then,  giving  him 
A  look  of  melting  tenderness,  he  clasp'd 
His  hands  convulsively,  as  if  in  prayer; 
And,  as  if  strength  were  given  him  of  God, 
He  rose  up  calmly,  and  composed  the  pall 
Firmly  and  decently — and  left  him  there — 
As  if  his  rest  had  been  a  breathing  sleep. 

NATHANIEL  PARKER  WILLIS. 
. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  That  Day 

ABSALOM!     Absalom! 
•**     Put  back  thy  fragrant  hair! 

Loud  is  the  city's  hum. 
Why  dost  thy  linger  there 

To  set  soft  hearts  on  fire? 
That  thou  may'st  reign  and  be 

What  mainly  men  desire 
What  best  it  liketh  thee? 

Hark  to  the  City's  hum, 

Absalom,  Absalom ! 

Absalom,  Absalom! 
Canst  thou  not  clearer  see 

The    thronging    forms    that   came 
Beneath  the  branching  tree? 

The  green  ways  of  the  wood, 
And  dropping  from  the  dart 

The  small  dull  pool  of  blood 
That  drains  the  traitorous  heart? 

^See  the  dim  forms  that  come, 

Absalom,  Absalom. 

A.  C.  BENSON. 


1 
The  Chamber  Over  the  Gate 

II.  Sam.  xviii:  33. 

IS  it  so  far  from  thee 
Thou  canst  no  longer  see, 
In  the  Chamber  over  the  Gate, 
That  old  man  desolate, 
Weeping  and  wailing  sore  , 
For  his,  son,  who  is  no  more? 
O  Absalom,  my  son! 


Is  it  so  long  ago 

That  cry  of  human  woe 

1 06 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

From   the  walled  city  came, 
Calling  on  his  dear  name, 
That  it  has  died  away 
In  the  distance  of  to-day? 
O  Absalom,  my  son! 

There  is  no  far  or  near, 

There  is  neither  there  nor  here, 

There  is  neither  soon  nor  late, 

In  that  Chamber  over  the  Gate, 

Nor  any  long  ago 

To  that  cry  of  human  woe, 

O  Absalom,  my  son! 

From  the  ages  that  are  past 
The  voice  comes  like   a  blast, 
Over  seas  that  wreck  and  drown, 
Over  tumult  of  traffic  and  town; 
And  from  ages  yet  to  be 
Come  the  echoes  back  to  me, 
O  Absalom,  my  son! 

Somewhere  at  every  hour 
The  watchman  from  his  tower 
Looks  forth,  and  sees  the  fleet 
Approach  of  the  hurrying  feet 
Of  messengers,  that  bear 
The  tidings  Of  despair. 
O  Absalom,  my  son! 

He  goes  forth  from  the  door, 
Who  shall  return  no  more. 
With  him  our  joy  departs; 
The  light  goes  out  in  our  hearts; 
In  the  Chamber  over  the  Gate 
We  sit  disconsolate. 
O  Absalom,  my  son! 

That  't  is  a  common  grief 
Bringeth  slight  relief; 

107 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ours  is  the  bitterest  loss, 
Ours  is  the  heaviest  cross j 
And  forever  the  cry  will  be, 
"Would  God  I  had  died  for  thee, 
O  Absalom,  my  son!" 

HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFELLOW. 


On  Viewing  a  Statue  of  David 

THIS  was  the  shepherd  boy  who  slung  the  stone 
And  killed  the  giant ;  sunshine  and  the  wind 
Had  given  his  harp  so  clear  and  strange  a  tone 
That  all  the  world  forgave  him  when  he  sinned. 

The  gently  formed  and  stately  Greek  who  stood 
On  the  Piazza,  throned  in  classic  pride, 

Was  not  the  boy  who  roamed  through  field  and  wood, 
Fighting  and  singing  on  the  bright  hillside. 

Swift  on  the  mountains,  swift  to  save  or  slay; 

Eager  and  passionate  and  lithe  of  form; 
Fighting  and  singing,  pausing  but  to  pray, 

Unto  his  God  of  music  and  of  storm. 

The  bare  hillside  and  sharp  rocks  castellate 

Rang  with  the  clanging  of  his  bow ; 
Where  in  the  dawn  of  the  world's  love  and  hate, 

He  found  and  would  not  slay  his  sleeping  foe. 

No  sorrowful  shades  of  the  evil  years 

Falls  in  the  boy's  face  of  the  wood  and  wild  ; 

Vanished  are  rags  and  lust  and  passionate  tears ; 
The  King  is  dead,  immortal  stands  the  child. 

EVA  GORE-BOOTH. 


108 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


Sleep 

all  the  thoughts  of  God  that  are 
Borne  inward  unto  soul  afar 
Along  the  Psalmist's  music  deep, 
Now  tell  me  if  there  any  is 
For  gift  or  grace,  surpassing  this — 

"He  giveth  his  beloved  sleep?" 
***** 

ELIZABETH  BARRETT  BROWNING. 


Psalm  VII 

C\   LORD,  my  God,  in  Thee  I  put  my  trust, 
^^     From  them  that  persecute  me  save  and  guard; 
Lest  I  be  straight  confounded  in  the  dust, 

And  they,  like  raving  lions  tearing  hard, 
Devour  my  captive  soul  in  furious  lust, 

By  no  deliverer  in  their  conquest  marred. 
O  Lord,  my  God,  if  I  have  done  this  wrong 
Or  if  aught  wicked  be  my  deeds  among; 

If  I  have  evil  wrought  unto  my  friend, 

If  I  have  not  preserved  alive  my  foe, 
Let  then  the  enemy  my  body  rend 

And  o'er  my  spirit  the  proud  victor  go. 
Let  him  my  fame  with  base  dishonor  blend, 

And  crush  my  life  upon  the  earth  below. 
Stand  up,  O  Lord,  in  anger  at  my  foes, 
Who  in  fierce  indignation  'gainst  me  rose! 

Arise,  O  Lord,  and  fight  on  my  behalf, 

Give  judgment  for  me  as  Thou  hast  ordained! 

So  shall  with  joy  the  congregation  laugh, 
And  flock  around,  in  reverence  constrained. 

Then  for  this  cause  lift  up  Thy  mighty  staff, 

For  those  whose  trust  is  on  Thy  power  contained! 

All  men  our  God  shall  judge,  help  me,  O  Lord! 

Heed  Thou  my  righteousness  and  upright  word! 

109 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

May  soon  ungodly  ways  decay  and  cease, 
And  Thy  protection  aid  the  humble  just! 

The  hearts  and  inmost  veins  th'  Almighty  sees, 
For  help  from  God  appearing  is  my  lust. 

Unto  the  true  of  heart  He  giveth  ease, 
Nor  will  permit  them  to  lie  in  the  dust. 

A  righteous  Judge  is  God,  patient  and  strong, 

And  each  day  angered  by  a  sinning  throng. 

Will  they  not  hear,  th'  avenging  sword  He  whets, 
Doth  bend  His  bow  and  towers  aloft  in  ire; 

The  instruments  of  death  to  hand  He  sets, 
Against  the  persecutor's  arrows  dire. 

All  fruitless  are  the  plots  my  foe  begets; 
Sorrow  doth  he  conceive,  of  ill  the  sire. 

Graven  hath  he,  and  digged  a  noisome  pit; 

By  him  prepared,  he  falleth  into  it. 

Upon  his  head  shall  his  bad  works  return, 

His  wickedness  recoil  upon  his  pate; 
In  self-inflicted  torments  shall  he  burn 

And  pain  of  soul  that  none  can  satiate. 
But  I  in  grateful  thanks  to  God  will  turn 

And  all   His  righteousness  will  celebrate. 
The  name  of  God  our  Lord  will  I  extol, 
And  to  the  heavens  my  tongue  His  fame  shall  roll. 
ALFRED  S.  SCHILLER-SZINESSY. 

m 
My  Times  Are  in  Thy  Hands! 

"I  trusted  in  thee,  O  Lord;  I  said,  Thou  art  my 
God.    My  times  are  in  Thy  hand!"— Ps.  xxxi.,  14,  15. 

TV/IY  times  are  in  Thy  hand! 
*•**'       I  know  not  what  a  day 
Or  e'en  an  hour  may  bring  to  me, 
But  I  am  safe  while  trusting  Thee, 
Though  all  things  fade  away. 

no 


BIBLICAL  AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

All  weakness,  I 
On  Him  rely 
Who  fixed  the  earth  and  spread   the  starry  sky. 

My  times  are  in  Thy  hand ! 

Pale  poverty  or  wealth, 
Corroding  care  or  calm  repose, 
Spring's  balmy  breath  or  winter's  snows, 
Sickness  or  buoyant  health, — 
Whate'er  betide, 
If  God  provide, 
'Tis  for  the  best ;  I  wish  no  lot  beside. 

My  times  are  in  Thy  hand ! 

Should    friendship   pure   illume 
And  strew  my  path  with  fairest  flowers, 
Or  should  I  spend  life's  dreary  hours 
In  solitude's  dark  gloom, — 
Thou  art  a  friend, 
Till  time  shall  end 
Unchangeably  the  same;  in  Thee  all  beauties  blend. 

My  times  are  in  Thy  hand ! 

Many  or  few  my  days, 
I   leave  with   Thee, — this   only  pray, 
That  by  Thy  grace  I,  every  day 
Devoting  to  Thy  praise, 
May  ready  be 
To  welcome  Thee 
Whene'er  Thou  com'st  to  set  my  spirit  free. 

CHRISTOPHER  NEWMAN  HALL. 

"The  Lord  Is  My  Shepherd,  I  Shall  Not 

Want" 

HP1  HE  Lord  my  Shepherd  is,  no  want  I  know, 
He  leadeth  me  where  tranquil  waters  flow, 

I  lie  in  pastures  green. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  within  the  gloomy  shade 
Where  Death  doth  lurk,  I  will  not  be  afraid, 
For  on  Thy  staff  I  lean. 

in 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  vain  mine  enemies  would  me  despoil, 

My  cup  o'erfloweth  still  with  wine  and  oil, 

My  food  Thou  dost  provide. 
Thy  mercy  and  Thy  goodness  both  will  last, 
And  when  my  days  upon  this  earth  are  past, 

With  Thee  I  yet  shall  bide. 

RE  HENRY. 

The  Prayer  of  Solomon  at  the  Consecration 
of  the  Temple 

A     GORGEOUS  structure!  rich  with  fretted  gold 
^*     And  radiant  with  gems.    A  white  robed  choir, 
Sackbut  and  psaltery,  and  the  tuneful  harp 
Waft  their  sweet  melody  unto  high  Heaven. 
A  mighty  monarch  bows  his  head  in  prayer. 
What  boon  has  he  to  ask  of  pitying  Heaven? 
Seeks  he  for  riches,  or  for  pomp  and  power 
Or  asks  he  vengeance  on  unconquered  foes? 
Peace!  peace!  he  breathes  a  lowly  prayer  to  Heaven, 
Even  for  others'  sins  as  for  his  own, 

Asking  forgiveness. 

Father!  when  man  forgetting  Thy  just  decree, 

Shall  wrong  his  brother,  and  by  fraud  or  wile 
Pervert  the  holy  faith  that  leads  to  Thee 

And  turn  his  heart  to  sinfulness  and  guile; 
Yet  when  they  both  are  brought  before  Thy  face, 

And  purer  feelings  in  each  bosom  strive, 
Hear  Thou  and  judge  in  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place 

And  when  Thou  hearest,  have  mercy  and  forgive. 

When   Thy   frail   children,    for   their   many  sins, 

Shall  smart  beneath  the  oppressor's  iron  rod, 
And  when  the  tortured  conscience  first  begins 

To  waken  to  the  anger  of  its  God  ; 
Then  when  they  come  to  Thee,  that  erring  race, 

And  pray  that  Thou  the  heavy  load  remove, 
Hear  Thou  in  heaven  Thy  holy  dwelling-place, 

And  when  Thou  hearest  forgive,  oh!  God  of  love! 

112 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

And  when  the  heavens  are  shut,  and  the  parched  land 

Must  bear  the  burden  of  their  sinful  way, 
And  Thou  shalt  teach  them  with  Thy  mighty  hand, 

And  bend  their  stubborn  hearts  to  own  Thy  sway, — 
And  they  repent  and  turn  towards  this  place, 

Let  not  Thine  ear  be  deaf  unto  their  voice; 
But  hear  Thou  from  Thy  heavenly  throne  of  grace, 

Hear  and  forgive  the  children  of  Thy  choice. 

And  when  the  stranger,   for  Thy  great  name's  sake 

Turneth  toward  this  house,  oh!  mighty  King, 
Whatever  supplication  he  may  make, 

Whatever  sin  or  sorrow  he  may  bring; 
Yet  when  he  bendeth  here  to  ask  Thy  grace, 

And  prayeth  Israel's  God  to  heal  his  grief. 
Hear  Thou  in  Heaven,  Thy  dwelling-place, 

And  when  Thou  hearest,  forgive  and  grant  relief. 

If  any  sin  (and  what  man  sinneth  not), 

And  Thou  art  wroth  and  angered  with  their  shame, 
And  the  sad  captive's  lone  and  bitter  lot 

Be  theirs,  until  they  call  upon  Thy  name; 
Yet  when  they  turn  repentant  towards  this  place, 

And  pray  to  Thee  in  supplicating  tone, 
Hear  Thou  in  heaven  Thy  holy  throne  of  grace, 

Forgive  and  have  compassion  on  Thine  own. 

No  gorgeous  temple,  rich  with  fretted  gold 

And  bright  with  flashing  gems,  now  meets  our  eye; 
No  holy  prophet  king,  like  him  of  old, 

Now  offers  up  our  sacrifice  on  high ; 
Yet  when  we  come  with  prayer  to  seek  Thy  face 

Each  with  sin's  burning  plague-spot  in  his  breast, 
Hear  Thou,  oh  God !  in  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place 

And  when  Thou  hearest,  forgive,  and  grant  us  rest- 

REBEKAH   HYNEMAN. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


W 


Solomon  and  the  Bees 

I 

HEN  Solomon  was  reigning  in  his  glory, 


Unto  his  throne  the  Queen  of  Sheba  came; 
(So  in  the  Talmud  you  may  read  the  story) 

Drawn  by  the  magic  of  the  monarch's  fame, 
To  see  the  splendours  of  his  court,  and  bring 
Some  fitting  tribute  to  the  mighty  King. 

II 

Nor  this  alone:  much  had  her  highness  heard 

What  flowers  of  learning  graced  the  royal  speech; 

What  gems  of  wisdom  dropped   with  every  word; 
What  wholesome,  lesson  he  was  wont  to  teach 

In  pleasing  proverbs;  and  she  wished  in  sooth, 

To  know  if  rumor  spake  the  simple  truth. 

Ill 
Besides,    the    Queen    had    heard    (which    piqued    her 

most) 

How  through  the  deepest  riddles  he  could  spy; 
How  all  the  curious  arts  that  women  boast 

Were  quite  transparent  to  his  piercing  eye; 
And  so  the  Queen  had. come — a  royal  guest — 
To  put  the  Sage's  cunning  to  the  test. 

IV 

And  straight  she  held  before  the  monarch's  view, 
In  either  hand  a  radiant  wealth  of  flowers; 

The  one,   bedeckt  with  every  charming  hue, 

Was  newly  culled   from   Nature's  choicest  bowers, 

The  other,  no  less  fair  in  every  part, 

Was  the  rare  product  of  divinest  art. 

V 

"Which  is  the  true,  and  which  the  false?"  she  said. 
Great  Solomon  was  silent.      All  amazed, 

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BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Each  wondering  courtier  shook  his  puzzled  head ; 

While  at  the  garlands  long  the  Monarch  gazed, 
As  one  who  sees  a  miracle,  and  fain, 
For  very  rapture  ne'er  would  speak  again. 

VI 

"Which  is  the  true?"     Once  more  the  woman  asked, 
Pleased  at  the  fond  amazement  of  the  king; 

"So  wise  a  head  should  not  be  hardly  tasked 

Most  learned  Liege,  with  such  a  trivial  thing!" 

But  still  the  sage  was  silent;  it  was  plain 

A   deep'ning  doubt  perplexed   his   royal   brain. 

VII 

While  thus  he  pondered,  presently  he  sees, 
Hard  by  the  casement — so  the  story  goes — 

A  little  band  of  busy  bustling  bees, 
Hunting  for  honey  in  a  withered  rose. 

The  monarch  smiled,  and  raised   his  royal  head: 

"Open  the  window!" — that  was  all  he  said. 

VIII 

The  window  opened  at  the  King's  command. 

Within  the  room  the  eager  insects  flew, 
And  sought  the  flowers  in  Sheba's  dexter  hand, 

And  so  the  king  and  all  the  courtiers  knew, 
That  wreath  was  Nature's — and   the  baffled   Queen, 
Returned  to  tell  the  wonders  she  had  seen. 

IX 

My  story  teaches  (every  tale  should  bear 
A  fitting  moral)    that  the  wise  may  find, 

In   trifles  light   as  atoms  of   the   air, 

Some  useful  lesson  to  enrich  the  mind — 

Some  truth  designed  to  profit  or  to  please — 

As  Israel's  king  learned  wisdom  from  the  bees. 

JOHN  GODFREY  SAXE, 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The   Chief  Among   Ten   Thousand 

(Song  of  Solomon) 

DEHOLD  thou  art  all  fair,  my  love; 

Thine  eyes,  thy  locks,  thy  brow 
All  excellence  and  comeliness — 
How  beautiful  art  thou! 

Stately   thy   neck,    like   David's   tower, 

With  splendor  overspread; 
Whereon   a  thousand   bucklers  hang, 

Shields  of  the  mighty  dead. 

Till   the   day   break   and   shadows   flee, 

Myself  betake  I  will 
To  the  spice-mountain's  fragrant  heights, 

And  incense-breathing  hill. 

Thou  art  beautiful,  my  love, 

There  is  no  spot  in  thee; 
Come  then,  my  bride,  from  Lebanon, 

From  Lebanon  with  me! 

Look  from  Amana's  summit,  look 

While  I  am  by  thy  side; 
Look  from  the  top  of  Shinar,  look 

From  Hermon,  look,  my  bride! 

Love,  sister,  bride,  thy  beauty  hath 

Ravished  this  heart  of  mine! 
Won  it  thou  hast,  and  now  it  is 

No  longer  mine,  but  thine! 

Sister  and  spouse,  how  fair  thy  love, 

How  better  far  than  mine! 
Thy   fragrance   steals   my    heart;    it   is 

No  longer  mine,  but  thine! 

116 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Thy  lips  are  sweetness,  and  thy  words 

Are   pleasantness   each   one; 
Thy  very  raiment  breatheth  forth 

The  breath  of  Lebanon. 

A  garden  is  my  sister-bride, 

A  paradise  shut  in; 
A  guardian  spring,  a  fountain  sealed, 

With  water  pure  within. 

Thine   are  the  pleasant  fruits  and  flowers, 

Beneath,   around,  above; 
Spikenard  and   balm,   and   myrrh   and  spice, 

A  paradise  of  love. 

Thine  are  the  springs,  which  freshly  o'er 

A  thousand  gardens  run, 
The  well  of  living  waters  Thou, 

And  streams  from  Lebanon. 

Awake,  O  north  wind;  come,  thou  south, 

Upon  my  garden  blow! 
So  shall  the  happy  fragrance  out 

From  all  its  spices  flow. 

Then  forth  through  all  His  Paradise, 

Let  my  beloved  rove, 
To  breathe  the  gladness  of  its  air 

And  eat  His  fruits  of  love. 

HORATIUS    BONAR. 


Solomon's  Song 

"I  sleep,  but  my  heart  waketh.  .  .  ." 

HAST  thou  heard  the  voice  of  my  Belov'd? 
Alack!  is  he  silent  still? 
Didst  thou  smell  the  perfume  of  his  locks 
As  he  skipped  upon  the  hill? 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Did  he  say:  "Go  down  and  greet  my  Bride 

Amid  the  tents  of   Kedar? 
In  the  house  whose  rafters  are  of  fir, 

Whose  casements  are  of  cedar. 

Is  she  dreaming  at  the  pleasant  feast 
All  laved  in  spice  and  roses? 

With  cool  ointment  on  her  throat  and  hands 
From  secret  garden-closes. 

O,  why  must  I  dwell  far  from  her 
And  from  her  running  fountains? 

I  am  lonely  on  the  barren  heights, 

Yet  God  calls  from  the  mountains.  .  .  ." 

Behold !  if  ye  hear  my  lover  cry 

As  Ammi-nadib's  lances, 
Then  say:  "She  sleeps  but  her  heart  waketh, 

She  neither  sings  nor  dances." 

As  fish-pools  of  Heshbon  weep  her  eyes, 

As  willows  trail  her  tresses, 
Her  neck  is  like  a  drooping  tower, 

She  yearns  for  thy  caresses. 

Come  down  from  the  hills  and  harp  to  her, 
Come  down  and  stay  her  sorrow: 

Is  not  the  winter  over  and  past 
And   lilies  bloom   to-morrow? 

Yet  she  only  saith:  "He  bideth  long, 
Ah,  when  is  he  returning?" 

REGINA  MIRIAM  BLOCH. 


The  Rose  of  Sharon 

IN  his  chamber  sat  the  Rabbi 
Poring  o'er   the   book  of  learning, 
When  a  knight  with  clanking  armor 
Sudden  stood  upon  the  threshold.- 

118 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Gleamed  the  cross  upon  his  shoulder, 
And  his  countenance  was  warlike. 
For  the  tall  commanding  figure 
Was  from  Palestine  returning. 

As  he  gazed  at  the  Crusader 
Ceased  the  rabbi's  heart  its  beating, 
But — upon  his  lips  warm  praises 
And  a  sturdy  hand  did  clasp  him. 

Spoke  the  Knight,  "We  both  are  striving 
Toward  the  same  end,  good  and  holy; 
My  strong  arm  I  must  confide  in, 
But  thy  help's  thy  stronger  spirit. 

"Seekers  of  the  truth,  O  Rabbi, 
Comrades  are  we  with  one  purpose. 
Pledge  and   promise   your   friendship, 
Take  this  rose  from  soil  of  Zion." 

Said  the  Rabbi:  "Dost  thou  know  not 
Wondrous  miracle  that  clusters 
In  the  withered  Rose  of  Sharon, 
How  it  blossoms  in  the  love-glance? 

"Ah,  how  like  the  rose,  my  people ! 
Parched  and  drooping  in  its  exile; 
But  when  love-gleam  rests  upon  it, 
Dwelling  safe  in  happy  freedom, 

"Swells  its  soul,  then,  in  sweet  rapture, 
Fragrant  too,  its  spirit  blossoms 
While  it   wakens  to   the   new   life 
And  forgets  its  olden  sorrows." 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 


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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Azrael 

NG  SOLOMON,  before  his  palace  gate 
At  evening,  on  the  pavement  tessellate 
Was  walking  with  a  stranger  from  the  East, 
Arra)'ed  in  rich  attire  as  for  a  feast, 
The  mighty  Runjeet-Sing,  a  learned  man, 
And  Rajah  of  the  realms  of  Hindostan. 
And  as  they  walked  the  guest  became  aware 
Of  a  white  figure  in  the  twilight  air, 
Gazing  intent,  as  one  who  with  surprise 
His  form  and  features  seemed  to  recognize; 
And  in  a  whisper  to  the  King  he  said: 
"What  is  yon  shape,  that,  pallid  as  the  dead, 
Is  watching  me,  as  if  he  sought  to  trace 
In  the  dim  light  the  features  of  my  face?" 

The   King  looked,  and  replied:  "I   know  him  well; 
It  is  the  Angel  men  called  Azrael. 
'Tis  the  Death  Angel;  what  hast  thou  to  fear?" 
And  the  guest  answered:  "Lest  he  should  come  near, 
And  speak  to  me,  and  take  away  my  breath! 
Save  me  from  Azrael,  save  me  from  death! 

0  king,  thou  hast  dominion  o'er  the  wind, 
Bid  it  arise  and  bear  me  hence  to  Ind." 

The  King  gazed  upward  at  the  cloudless  sky, 

Whispered  a  word,  and  raised  his  hand  on  high, 

And  lo!  the  signet-ring  of  chrysoprase 

On  his  uplifted  finger  seemed  to  blaze 

With  hidden  fire,  and  rushing  from  the  west 

There  came  a  mighty  wind,  and  seized  the  guest 

And  lifted  him  from  earth,  and  on  they  passed, 

His  shining  garments  streaming  in  the  blast, 

A  silken  banner  o'er  the  walls  upreared, 

A  purple  cloud,  that  gleamed  and  disappeared. 

Then  said  the  Angel,  smiling:  "If  this  man 

Be  Rajah  Runjeet-Sing  of  Hindostan, 

Thou  hast  done  well  in  listening  to  his  prayer; 

1  was  upon  my  way  to  seek  him  there." 

HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFELLOW. 

120 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


Wisdom 

OD  got  me  ere  His  works  began, 

The  first  in  all  creation's  plan. 
From  everlasting  was  my  birth, 
Yea,  from  the  first,  before  the  earth. 
Ere  there  were  deeps  I  was  begot 
When  water-laden  springs  were  not. 
I  was  brought  forth  before,  as  yet 
The  hills  and  mountains  had  been  set; 
Ere  He  the  land  and  wastes  had  made, 
Ere  He  the  world's  first  dust  had  laid. 

When  He  prepared  the  heavens  new, 
And  on  the  face  a  circle  drew 
Of  the  vast  deep,  there  I  was,  too: 
When  skies  above  He  firm  did  frame; 
When  the  deep's  fountains  strong  became; 
When  to  the  sea  its  bounds  He  set, 
So  that  its  borders  ne'er  should  get 
Beyond  its  borders,  and  when  He 
Marked  out  what  should  earth's  bases  be; 

I  as  His  foster-child  did  stay 
With  Him,  delighting  Him  each  day, 
And  in  His  presence  e'er  did  play, 
Exulting  at  His  world  in  sight; 
The  sons  of  men  were  my  delight. 
Now  children,  hearken  unto  me; 
Who  keep  my  ways  they  blest  shall  be. 
Instruction  hear  ye  and  be  wise, 
Yea,  no  instruction  e'er  despise. 
Happy  the  man  that  heeds  my  say, 
That  watches  at  my  gates  each  day, 
That  at  my  door-posts  waits  alway. 

For  he  that  findeth  me  finds  Life; 
He'll  from  the  Lord  get  favour  rife; 

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But  he  that  misses  me,  the  goal, 
Does  violence  to  his  own  soul; 
Yea,  Death  is  courted  by  all  those 
That  hate  me  ever  as  my  foes. 

ISIDORE  MYERS. 


Habakkuk's    Prayer 
Habakkuk  iii:   17-18. 

VET  though  the  fig-tree  should  no  burden  bear, 
•*•     Though  vines  delude  the  promise  of  the  year; 
Yet  though  the  olive  should  not  yield  her  oil, 
Nor  the  parch'd  glebe  reward  the  peasant's  toil; 
Though  the  tired  ox  beneath  his  labors  fall, 
And  herds  in  millions  perish  from  the  stall; 
Yet  shall  my  grateful  strings 
Forever  praise  Thy  name; 
Forever  Thee  proclaim 
The  everlasting  God,  the  mighty  King  of  kings. 

WILLIAM   BROOME. 


Trust 

Habakkuk,  iii:  17-18. 

"THOUGH  bare  of  bloom  the  broad-leafed  fig 

And  vines  no  luscious  clusters  show, 
And  toil  that  sinewed  arms  bestow 
On  olive  erst  with  berries  big 
Shall  fail,  and  fields  shall  yield  no  meat, 
Nor  herds  more  in   the  stables  low, 
Nor  woolly  flocks  in  fold  shall  bleat, 
I  yet  with  joy  the  Lord  shall  greet, 
With   song   my    Strength   and    Saviour   praise, 
Who  renders  like  to  hinds  my  feet 
And  doth  me  to  high  places  raise. 

M.  M. 

122 


BIBLICAL   AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

Trustfulness 

Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart  and  rely  not 
on  thine  own  understanding. — Prov.  iii:  5. 

THOU,  God,  the  only  God, 
Father  of  all! 
Thou  gladly  hearest  us 

If  we  but  call. 

When  sin  controls  with  power, 
When  fears  our  hopes  devour, 
In  sorrow's  chastening  hour, 
Be  Thou  e'er  nigh. 

Oft  we  forget  Thy  love, 

O  God  most  kind! 
Oft  we  neglect  Thy  law, 

Light  to   the  blind. 
Our  every  joy  is  Thine, 
Gift  of  Thy  grace  divine, 
Long  let  Thy  mercy  shine 

On  us  below. 

Thou  Master  of  all  worlds, 

Of  all  adored ! 
Aid  us  to  do  Thy  will, 

Eternal  Lord ! 
Let  not  Thy  love  depart, 
Enter  the  prayerful  heart, 
With   wrong  we  then  shall  part 

For  evermore. 

Where'er  Thou  leadest  us, 

O  Thou  most  High! 
Humbly   we   follow  Thee, 

To  do  or  die. 

Should'st  Thou  our  path  make  bright, 
Should 'st  Thou  afflict  with  blight, 
Yet  both  by  day  and  night 

We  trust  in  Thee.       jt  LEONARD  LEVY. 

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Watchman!     What    of   the   Night? 

THE   burden   of   Dumah.     Silence.     What  of   the 
night  ? 

I  hear  the  Watchman  crying  through  the  dark. 

When  to  the  golden  cover  of  Thine  Ark 
Thy  Mercy  seat,  wilt  Thou,  O  God  of  Light 
Return?     How  long  wilt  Thou  Thy  remnant  smite, 

And  thresh  the  scattered  corn  upon  Thy  floor, 

And  winnow  with  Thy  purging  fan,  before 
That  last  least  grain  be  garnered!     Will  Thy  might 

Destroy,  nor  spare?     Lo,  as  a  tale  that  is  told, 
Our  days  pass  quickly,  nor  as  yet  the  thorn 

Yields  to  the  fir.     No  more  from  us  withhold 
The  Prince  of  Peace,  that  unto  us  is  born: 

Our  bones,  O  Lord,  are  vexed,  our  eyes  wax  old 
With  longing  for  that  Messianic  morn. 

JAMES  MEW. 


Come  Not,  O  Lord 

not,  O  Lord,  in  the  dread  robe  of  splendor 
Thou  worest  on  the  Mount,  in  the  day  of  Thine  ire ; 
Come  veiled  in  those  shadows,  deep,  awful,  but  tender, 
Which  Mercy  flings  over  Thy  features  of  fire. 

Lord,  Thou  rememberest  the  night,  when  Thy  nation 
Stood  fronting  her  foe  by  the  red-rolling  stream; 

On  Egypt  Thy  pillar  frowned  dark  desolation, 
While  Israel  basked  all  the  night  in  its  beam. 

So,  when  the  dread  clouds  of  anger  enfold  Thee, 
From  us,  in  Thy  mercy,  the  dark  side  remove; 

While  shrouded  in  terror  the  guilty  behold  Thee, 
Oh,  turn  upon  us  the  mild  light  of  Thy  love! 

THOMAS  MOORE. 


124 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Think  on  God 

A  FRAGMENT 

"Can  a  maid  forget  her  ornaments  or  a  bride  her 
attire?  Yet  my  people  have  forgotten  me  days  with- 
out number." — Jeremiah  ii,  32. 

J7ORGET  Thee,  oh  my  God!  and  can  this  be? 

Earth  with  thy  thousand  voices  answer  me! 
Ye  midnight  heavens  gazing  with  eyes  so  bright 
Upon  the  silent  eloquence  of  night 
Speak  of  thy  Maker!     Speak  thou  glorious  sun 
And  thou  enchanting  moon!  ethereal  one 
Tell  me  of  Him. 

Oh!  exquisite  and  clear 

Were  those  soft  words  upon  my  listening  ear ; 
Oh!  eloquence  divine  of  Nature's  voice 
Whose  thrilling  accents  spoke: 

"Fond  heart  rejoice, 

For  we  forget  not  God ;  there  is  no  hour 
When  we  could  live  without  His  love — His  power." 
"Each  moment,"  sighed  the  pale  and  blushing  rose, 
"The  wonders  of  my  Maker  I  disclose;" 
And  every  flower  throughout  the  garden  fair 
Mingles  its  grateful  perfume  with  the  air, 
Like  incense,  rising  with  a  heavenly  prayer, 
Speaks  each  in  varied  tone  its  faithful  love 
Crowned  with  eternal  beauty  from  above. 
"Ah!  not  in  thee  forgetfulness,"  I  said, 
"Emblems  of  faithful  love!     I  too  would  shed 
My  heart's  best  incense  on  that  holy  shrine 
To  burn  forever."     Then,  with  sound  divine, 
Teeming  with  melody  the  stately  trees 
And  graceful  wheat  bowing  to  every  breeze 
In  whispered  chorus  spoke  His  wonderous  skill 
And  their  obedience  to  His  blessed  will. 
I  gazed  in  rapture  on  those  fields  so  sweet 
Whose  every  blade  bowed  low  as  if  to  meet 

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The  faintest  breath  of  wind  which  seemed  to  bring 
The  thought  of  God  upon  its  angel  wing. 
Oh!  Nature,  exquisitely  calm  and  bright! 
Your  Maker  is  your  life,  your  soul's  delight. 

R.  E.  S. 


Job's  Confession 

'"THOU  canst  accomplish  all  things,  Lord  of  might; 
•••    And  every  thought  is  named  to  Thy  sight, 
But  O,  Thy  ways  are  wonderful,  and  lie 
Beyond  the  deepest  reach  of  mortal  eye. 
Oft  have  I  heard  of  Thine  Almighty  power, 
But  never  saw  Thee  till  this  dreadful  hour, 
O'erwhelmed  with  shame,  the  Lord  of  life  I  see, 
Abhor  myself,  and  give  my  soul  in  Thee. 
Nor  shall  my  weakness  tempt  Thine  anger  more; 
Man  is  not  made  to  question,  but  adore. 

EDWARD  YOUNG. 

Dying-— Shall  Man  Live  Again? 

J     &  .  & 

IN  dying,  will  the  parting  breath 

*   Renew  our  life, — is  there  no  death? 

Go  ask  it  of  the  winter's  snow, 

Or  of  the  winds  that  fiercely  blow. 

Or  ask  it  of  the  moaning  seas, 

Or  of  the  naked,  barren  trees; 

Or  of  dead  leaves  that  withered  lie, 

Where  autumn  saw  them  fall  and  die. 

. 

Ask  of  the  stars  that  nightly  gleam- — 
Or  ask  it  of  the  frozen  stream 
That  in  a  shroud,  all  glorious,  white, 
Lies  buried  through  the  wintry  night. 


BIBLICAL  AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

This  question  of  another  birth, 
Go  ask  it  of  old  mother  earth; 
Ask  it  of  her  when  she  receives, 
The  glory  of  the  newer  leaves. 

Ask  it  of  joyous  birds  that  sing, 

Or  ask  it  of  the  new  born  spring; 

Or  of  the  mists  in  valleys  low, 

That  sleep — where  swollen  rivers  flow.  . 

Or  ask  the  thunder-toned  roar 

Of  the  old  ocean  breaking  o'er 

The  barriers  of  some  rock-bound  shore — 

This  question  of  forevermore. 

And  yet  the  answer,  strong,  and  sure, 
That  conquers  every  human  fear, 
And  wipes  away  each  bitter  tear — 
Is  found  in  Him  whose  heart  is  pure; 
This  is  the  answer  that  He  gives, 
"Who  dies  to  self,  forever  lives." 

ALBERT  FRANK  HOFFMANN. 


The  Destruction  of  Sennacherib 

""THE  Assyrian  came  down  like  the  wolf  on  the  fold, 
*     And   his   cohorts   were   gleaming   in   purple    and 

gold  ; 
And  the  sheen  of  their  spears  was  like  stars  on  the 

sea, 
When  the  blue  wave  rolls  nightly  on  deep  Galilee. 

Like  the  leaves  of  the  forest  when  Summer  is  green, 
That  host  with  their  banners  at  sunset  were  seen; 
Like    the   leaves   of    the    forest   when    Autumn    hath 

blown, 
That  host  on  the  morrow  lay  wither'd  and  strown. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

For  the  Angel  of  Death  spread  his  wings  on  the  blast, 
And  breathed  in  the  face  of  the  foe  as  he  pass'd ; 
And  the  eyes  of  the  sleepers  wax'd  deadly  and  chill, 
And  their  hearts  but  once  heav'd,  and  forever  grew 
still! 

And  there  lay  the  steed  with  his  nostril  all  wide, 
But    through   it   there   roll'd   not   the   breath    of   his 

pride.; 

And  the  foam  of  his  gasping  lay  white  on  the  turf, 
And  cold  as  the  spray  of  the  rock-beating  surf. 

And  there  lay  the  rider  distorted  and  pale, 
With  the  dew  on  his  brow,  and  the  rust  on  his  mail; 
And  the  tents  were  all  silent,  the  banners  alone, 
The  lances  unlifted,  the  trumpets  unblown. 

And  the  widows  of  Ashur  are  loud  in  their  wail, 
And  the  idols  are  broke  in  the  temple  of  Baal; 
And  the  might  of  the  Gentile,  unsmote  by  the  swrord, 
Hath  melted  like  snow  in  the  glance  of  the  Lord! 

LORD  BYRON. 


Jeremiah,  the  Patriot 

"Thou  fallest  away  to  the  Chaldeans." — Jer. 
xxxvii.  13 

T^HEY  say,  "The  man  is  false,  and  falls  away": 
•*•   Yet  sighs  my  soul  in  secret  for  their  pride; 
Tears  are  mine  hourly  food,  and  night  and  day 
I  plead  for  them,  and  may  not  be  denied. 

They  say,  "His  words  unnerve  the  warrior's  hand, 
And  dim  the  statesman's  eye  and  disunite 

The  friends  of  Israel";  yet,  in  every  land, 

My  words,   to   Faith,   are  Peace,   and   Hope,   and 
Might. 

128 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

They  say,  "The  frenzied  one  is  fain  to  see 

Glooms  of  his  own;  and  gathering  storms  afar; — 

But  dungeons  deep,  and  fetters  strong  have  we." 
Alas!  Heaven's  lightning  would  ye  chain  and  bar? 

Ye  scorners  of  th'  Eternal !  wait  one  hour  ; 

In  His  seer's  weakness  ye  shall  see  His  power. 

JOHN  KEBLE. 

The  Ruler  of  the  Nations 

"I  have  set  thee  this  day  over  the  nations,  and  over  the 
kingdoms." — Jer.  i.  10 

TTHE  Lord  hath  set  me  o'er  the  kings  of  earth, 
*•     To  fasten  and  uproot,  to  build  and  mar; 
Not  by  mine  own  fond  will:  else  never  war 

Had  still'd  in  Anathoth  the  voice  of  mirth, 

Nor  from  my  native  tribe  swept  bower  and  hearth; 
Ne'er  had  the  light  of  Judah's  royal  star 
Fail'd  in  mid  heaven,  nor  trampling  steed  and  car 

Ceas'd  from  the  courts  that  saw  Josiah's  birth. 
'  'Tis  not  in  me  to  give  or  take  away, 

But  He  who  guides  the  thunder-peals  on  high, 
He  tunes  my  voice,  the  tones  of  His  deep  sway 

Faintly  to  echo  in  the  nether  sky. 

Therefore  I  bid  earth's  glories  set  or  shine, 
And  it  is  so;  my  words  are  sacraments  divine." 

JOHN  KEBLE. 

The  Fall  of  Jerusalem 

JERUSALEM!     Jerusalem! 
J    Thou  art  low;  thou  mighty  one, 
How  is  the  brilliance  of  thy  diadem, 
How  is  the  lustre  of  thy  throne 
Rent  from  thee,  and  thy  sun  of  fame 
Darken'd  by  the  shadowy  pinion 
Of  the  Roman  bird,  whose  sway 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

All  the  tribes  of  earth  obey, 
Crouching  'neath  his  dread  dominion, 
And  the  terrors  of  his  name! 

• 

How  is  thy  royal  seat — whereon 
Sat  in  days  of  yore 
Lowly  Jesse's  godlike  son, 
And  the  strength  of  Solomon, 
In  those  rich  and  happy  times 
When  the  ships  from  Tarshish  bore 
Incense,  and  from  Ophir's  land, 
With  silken  sail  and  cedar  oar, 
Wafting  to  Judea's  strand 
All  the  wealth  of  foreign  climes — 
How  is  thy  royal  seat  o'erthrown ! 

Gone  is  all  thy  majesty; 

Salem !     Salem !     City  of  kings, 

Thou  sittest  desolate  and  lone, 

Where  once  the  glory  of  the  Most  High 

Dwelt  visibly  enshrined  between  the  wings 

Of  Cherubins,  within  whose  bright  embrace 

The  golden  mercy-seat  remain'd; 

Land  of  Jehovah !  view  that  sacred  place 

Abandoned  and  profaned! 

***** 

ALFRED  TENNYSON. 

Hebrew  Melody 

(Jeremiah  x:    17) 

OM  the  hall  of  our  fathers  in  anguish  we  fled, 
Nor  again  will  its  marble  re-echo  our  tread, 
For  the  breath  of  the  Siroc  has  blasted  our  name, 
And  the  frown  of  Jehovah  has  crushed  us  in  shame. 

His  robe  was  the  whirlwind,  his  voice  was  the  thunder, 
And  earth,  at  his  footstep,  was  riven  asunder; 
The  mantle  of  midnight  had  shrouded  the  sky, 
For  we  knew,  where  He  stood  by  the  flash  of  His  eye. 

130 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

O  Judah !  how  long  must  thy  weary  ones  weep, 
Far,  far  from  the  land  where  their  forefathers  sleep? 
How  long  ere  the  glory  that  brightened  the  mountain 
Will  welcome  the  exile  to  Siloa's  fountain  ? 

MRS.  JAMES  GORDON  BROOKS. 


Lament  for  Jerusalem 

JERUSALEM !  on  thy  ruin'd  walls 
The  sun  yet  sheds  its  glittering  rays, 
And  shines  amid  thy  lonely  halls 

As  once  it  shone  in  happier  days: 
And  Judea's  clime  is  still  as  fair, 
Though  Judah's  sons  are  outcasts  there. 

How  long  shall  pagan  foot  profane 

Jehovah's  hallowed  shrine; 
And  memories  alone  remain 

Of  all  that  once  was  thine? 
How  long  shall  we,  thy  children,  roam 
As  exiles  from  our  native  home? 

To  weep  o'er  Salem's  blighted  fame, 

To  gaze  upon  her  strand, 
Is  all  the  heritage  we  claim 

Within   our  fatherland ; 
To  mourn  o'er  our  free  parents'  graves 
That  we,  their  children,  are  but  slaves. 

When  will  that  glorious  hour  come  ? 

When  shall  we  once  more  see 
Thy  temple  rear  its  stately  dome> 

Thy  children  with  the  free  ? 
And  thou,  our  fair,  ill-fated  land 
Amongst  the  nations  take  thy  stand  ? 

MARION  and  CELIA  Moss. 


131 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Song  of  the  Jewish  Captives 

\Y/E  sat  us  down  by  Babel's  streams 
**     And    dreamed    soul-saddening   memory's 

dreams ; 

And  dark  thoughts  o'er  our  spirits  crept 
Of  Sion — and  we  wept,  we  wept ! 
Our  harps  upon  the  willows  hung 
Silent,  and  tuneless,  and  unstrung; 
For  they  who  wrought  our  pains  and  wrongs, 
Asked  us  for  Sion's. pleasant  songs. 

How  can  we  sing  Jehovah's  praise 
To  those  who  Baal's  altars  raise? 
How  warble  Judah's  f  reeborn  hymns, 
With  Babel's  fetters  on  our  limbs? 
How  chant  thy  lays,  dear  Fatherland, 
To  strangers  on  a  foreign  strand? 
Ah  no!  we'll  bear  grief's  keenest  string, 
But  dare  not  Sion's  anthems  sing. 

Place  us  where 'Sharon's  roses  blow; 
Place  us  where  Siloe's  waters  flow; 
Place  us  on  Lebanon,  that  waves 
Its  cedars  o'er  our  fathers'  graves: 
Place  us  upon  that  holy  mount, 
Where  stand  the  temple,  gleams  the  fount; 
And  love  and  joy  shall  loose  our  tongues, 
To  warble  Sion's  pleasant  songs. 

HENRY  NEILE. 

The  Jewish  Captive's  Song 

ONE  is  thine  hour  of  might, 
Zion,  and  fallen  art  thou; 
Thy  temple's  sacred  height 

Is  desecrated  now. 
That  I  should  live  to  see 

The  ruins  of  that  dome, 
And  Judah's  children  be, 

Bondsmen,  and  slaves  to  Rome. 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

When  I  saw  heaven's  wrath  descending, 

Why  'scap'd  I  from  the  grave, 
While  thousands  died  defending 

The  shrine  they  could  not  save; 
But  bless'd  are  those  who  sleep 

In  their  quiet  resting  place, 
That  they  did  not  live  to  weep 

O'er  the  scattering  of  their  race. 

MARION  and  CELIA  Moss. 


The  Hebrew  Minstrel's  Lament 

C1  ROM  the  hills  of  the  West,  as  the  sun's  setting 

beam 

Cast  his  last  ray  of  glory  o'er  Jordan's  lone  stream, 
While  his  fast-falling  tears  with  its  waters  were  blent, 
Thus  poured  a  poor  minstrel  his  saddened  lament : — 

"Awake,  harp  of  Judah,  that  slumbering  hast  hung 
On  the  willows  that  weep  where  thy  prophets  have 

sung; 

Once  more  wake  for  Judah  thy  wild  notes  of  woe, 
Ere  the  hand  that  now  strikes  thee  lies  mouldering 

and  low. 

"Ah,  where  are  the  choirs  of  the  glad  and  the  free 
That  woke  the  loud  anthem  responsive  to  thee, 
When  the  daughters  of  Salem  broke  forth  in  the  song, 
While  Tabor  and  Hermon  its  echoes  prolong? 

"And  where  are  the  mighty,  who  went  forth  in  pride 
To  the  slaughter  of  kings,  with  their  ark  at  their  side  ? 
They  sleep,  lonely  stream,  with  the  sands  of  thy  shore, 
And  the  war-trumpet's  blast  shall  awake  them  no  more. 

"O  Judah,  a  lone,  scattered  remnant  remain, 
To  sigh  for  the  graves  of  their  fathers  in  vain, 
And  to  turn  toward  thy  land  with  a  tear-brimming  eye, 
And  a  prayer  that  the  advent  of  Shiloh  be  nigh. 

133 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"No  beauty  in  Sharon,  on  Carmel  no  shade; 
Our  vineyards  are  wasted,  our  altars  decayed; 
And  the  heel  of  the  heathen,   insulting,  has  trod 
On  the  bosoms  that  bled  for  their  country  and  God." 

ANONYMOUS. 


Jewish  Hymn  in  Babylon 
(From"Belshazzar.") 

OD  of  thunder !  from  whose  cloudy  seat 
The  fiery  winds  of  Desolation  flow ; 
Father  of  vengeance,  that  with  purple  feet 

Like   a   full   wine-press   tread'st   the   world   below; 
The  embattled  armies  wait  thy  sign  to  slay, 
Nor  springs  the  beast  of  havoc  on  his  prey, 
Nor  withering  Famine  walks  his  blasted  way, 
Till  thou  hast  marked  the  guilty  land  for  woe. 

God  of  the  rainbow!  at  whose  gracious  sign 
The  billows  of  the  proud  their  rage  suppress ; 

Father  of  mercies!  at  one  word  of  thine 
An  Eden  blooms  in  the  waste  wilderness, 

Air  •  i  i        •  •        i  •  i  i 

And  fountains  sparkle  in  the  arid  sands, 
And  timbrels  ring  in  maidens'  glancing  hands, 
And  marble  cities  crown  the  laughing  lands, 
And  pillared  temples  rise  thy  name  to  bless. 

O'er  Judah's  land  thy  thunders  broke,  O  Lord ! 

The  chariots  rattled  o'er  her  sunken  gate, 
Her  sons  were  wasted  by  the  Assyrian's  sword, 

Even  her  foes  wept  to  see  her  fallen  state; 
And  heaps  her  ivory  palaces  became, 
Her  princes  wore  the  captive's  garb  of  shame, 
Her  temples  sank  amid  the  smouldering  flame, 

For  thou  didst  ride  the  tempest  cloud  of  fate. 

O'er  Judah's  land  thy  rainbow,  Lord,  shall  beam. 
And  the  sad  City  lift  her  crownless  head, 

134 


BIBLICAL  AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

And  songs  shall  wake  and  dancing  footsteps  gleam 

In  streets  where  broods  the  silence  of  the  dead. 
The  sun  shall  shine  on  Salem's  gilded  towers, 
On  Carmel's  side  our  maidens  cull  the  flowers 
To  deck  at  blushing  eve  their  bridal  bowers, 
And  angel  feet  the  glittering  Sion  tread. 

Thy  vengeance   gave  us   to   the   stranger's   hand, 

And  Abraham's  children  were  led  forth  for  slaves, 
With  fettered  steps  we  left  our  pleasant  land, 

Envying  our  fathers  in  their  peaceful  graves; 
The  stranger's  bread  with  bitter  tears  we  steep, 
And  when  our  weary  eyes  should  sink  to  sleep, 
In  the  mute  midnight  we  steal  forth  to  weep, 
Where  the  pale  willows  shade  Euphrates'  waves. 

The  horn  in  sorrow  shall  bring  forth  in  joy; 

Thy  mercy,  Lord,  shall  lead  thy  children  home; 
He  that  went  forth  a  tender  prattling  boy 

Yet  ere  he  die,  to  Salem's  streets  shall  come ; 
And  Canaan's  vines  for  us  their  fruit  shall  bear, 
And  Hermon's  bees  their  honeyed  stores  prepare, 
And  we  shall  kneel  again  in  thankful  prayer, 

Where  o'er  the  cherub-seated  God  full  blazed  the 
irradiate  dome, 

HENRY  HART  MILMAN. 


Oh!  Weep  for  Those 

!  weep  for  those  that  wept  by  Babel's  stream, 
Whose  shrines  are  desolate,  whose  land  a  dream; 

Weep  for  the  harp  of  Judah's  broken  shell ; 

Mourn — where   their    God    hath    dwelt,    the   godless 
dwell! 

And  where  shall  Israel  lave  her  bleeding  feet? 
And  when  shall  Zion's  songs  again  seem  sweet  ? 
And  Judah's  melody  once  more  rejoice 
The  hearts  that  leap'd  before  its  heavenly  voice  ? 

135 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Tribes  of  the  wandering  foot  and  weary  breast, 
How  shall  ye  flee  away  and  be  at  rest? 
The  wild-dove  hath  her  nest,  the  fox  his  cave, 
Mankind  their  country — Israel  but  the  grave! 

LORD  BYRON. 


Na-Ha-Moo 

"Comfort  Ye — Comfort  Ye,   my  people." — Isaiah, 
xl.  i. 

DY  Babel's  streams,  thy  children  wept, 
*-*       And  mute,  O  Israel,  was  thy  choir, 
While  as  thy  weary  exiles  slept, 

And  on  the  willow  hung  thy  lyre, 
A  seraph's  voice,  soft  as  the  dew, 
Fell  on  their  dreams  with  "Na-ha-moo." 

No  song  made  glad  that  mournful  voice, 

No  ease  was  for  that  bruised  breast, 
Till  He  who  bade  thee  to  rejoice 

Sent  forth  on  Zion  His  behest — 
Firm  as  thy  faith  in  Him  was  true, 
Like  manna  fell  the  "Na-ha-moo." 

The  stranger  hath  usurped  the  seat, 

Where,  throned  in  gtory,  blazed  the  fane. 

The  hallowed  walls,  thy  sacred  feet, 
Still  guard,  O  Zion,  still  remain, 

To  mark  the  ruin  and  renew 

The  memory  of  thy  "Na-ha-moo." 

God's  mercy  shines  a  lingering  beam, 

The  pilgrim  on  his  path  to  light, 
From  Sinai's  brow,  from  Jordan's  stream, 

From  offerings  of  the  heart  contrite — 
His  promises  our  hopes  imbue, 
With  blessings  of  his  "Na-ha-moo." 

J.  C.  LEVY. 

136 


BIBLICAL  AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


By  the  Rivers  of  Babylon  We  Sat  Down 
and  Wept 

(Psalm  cxxxvii.) 

\Y/E  sat  down  and  wept  by  the  waters 
Of  Babel,  and  thought  of  the  day 
When  our  foe,  in  the  hue  of  his  slaughters, 

Made  Salem 's  high  places  his  prey, 
And  ye,  O  her  desolate  daughters! 

Were  scatter'd  all  weeping  away. 

While  sadly  we  gazed  on  the  river 
Which  roll'd  on  in  freedom  below, 

They  demanded  the  song;  but,  oh,  never 
That  triumph  the  stranger  shall  know! 

May  this  right  hand  be  wither'd  for  ever, 
Ere  it  string  our  high  harp  for  the  foe ! 

On  the  willow  that  harp  is  suspended, 
O  Salem!  its  sound  should  be  free; 

And  the  hour  when  thy  glories  were  ended 
But  left  me  that  token  of  thee; 

And  ne'er  shall  its  soft  tones  be  blended 
With  the  voice  of  the  spoiler  by  me! 

LORD  BYRON. 


By  Babel's  Streams 

(Paraphrase  of   Psalm    137) 

I 

D  Y  Babel's  streams  we  sat,  we  wept, 

Rememb'ring  Zion's  fallen  state: 
We  hung  the  harp  whose  music  slept 

On  willows  'neath  whose  solemn  shade 
We  talked  of  Zion's  glory. 

137 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

II 

The  captor  cruel  mocked  the  sigh 

And  bade  us  sing  of  Zion's  songs. 
With  breaking  hearts  we  made  reply 

"To  Zion's  land  alone  belongs 
The  sounds  of  Zion's  glory." 

in 

How  can  we  from  the  harp-string  wake 
In  stranger's  land  the.  sacred  lay? 

Each  harp-string,  aye,  our  hearts  would  break 
Before  our  fingers  would  obey, 

For  lost  is  Zion's  glory. 

IV 

O  Salem!     If  thy  sacred  land 

Forgotten  be,  if  false  we  prove 
May  memory  fail, — may  palsied  hand 

And  dastard  tongues  refuse  to  move, 
If  we  forget  thy  glory. 

H.  PEREIRA  MENDES. 

4 
The  Jewish  Captive 

(Psalm  cxxxvii.) 

(")H  Zion!  if  I  cease  for  thee 
^     My  earliest  vows  to  pay — 
If  for  thy  sad  and  ruined  walls 
I  ever  cease  to  pray — 
If  I  no  more  thy  sacred  courts 

With  holy  reverence  prize, 
Or  Zion-ward  shall  cease  to  turn 

My  ever-longing  eyes — 
Or  if  the  splendor  round  me  thrown 

Shall  touch  this  Jewish  heart, 
And  make  me  cease  to  prize  thy  joy 

Above  all  other  art, — 

138 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Oh,  may  this  hand  no  more  with  skill 

E'er  touch  this  sacred  string, 
And  may  this  tongue  grow  cold  in  death, 

Ere  I  shall  cease  to  sing 
And  pray  for  Zion's  holy  courts, 

Or  dare  to  bow  the  knee 
To  these  poor,  blind  and  helpless  gods, 

Forgetful,  Lord,  of  thee." 

ELIZABETH  OAKES  (PRINCE)  SMITH. 

. 

. 

The  Return  From  the  Captivity 

ARISE!     Sons  of   Israel,   arise! 
£""*  The  days  of  thy  liberties  dawn  ; 
The  Lord  hath  relented  his  wrath, 
The  night  of  thy  slavery's  gone. 

. 

Let  the  hills  in  thy  gladness  rejoice, 

That  freedom  now  smiles  upon  thee; 
'Till  the  ocean's  loud  echoless  voice, 

Roars  back  to  the  valleys  we're  free. 

They  roar,  and  the  mountain  replies: 

In  your  dwellings  let  joyfulness  be; 
Arise!     Sons  of  Israel,  arise! 

Raise   the  hymn   of   thanksgiving, — thou'rt   free. 

MARION  and  CELIA  Moss. 

' 
The  Wild  Gazelle 

nl 
THE  wild  gazelle  on  Judah's  hills 

•*•       Exulting  yet  may  bound, 
And  drink  from  all  the  living  rills  arTI 

That,  gush  on  holy  ground; 
Its  airy  step  and  glorious  eye  : 

May   glance   in   tameless   transport  by:— 

139 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  step  as  fleet,  an  eye  more  bright, 

Hath  Judah  witness'd  there, 
And  o'er  her  scenes  of  lost  delight 

Inhabitants  more  fair. 
The  cedars  wave  on  Lebanon, 
But  Judah's  statelier  maids  are  gone ! 

More  blest  each  palm  that  shades  those  plains 

Than  Israel's  scatter'd  race  ; 
For,  taking  root,  it  there  remains 

In  solitary  grace; 
It  cannot  quit  its  place  of  birth, 
It  will  not  live  in  other  earth. 

But  we  must  wander  witheringly, 

In  other  lands  to  die; 
And  where  our  fathers'  ashes  be, 

Our  own  may  never  lie: 
Our  temple  hath  not  left  a  stone, 
And  Mockery  sits  on  Salem's  throne. 

LORD  BYRON. 


Nehemiah  to  Artaxerxes 

(Nehemiah  ii.   1-5.) 

""PIS  sorrow,  O  King!  of  the  heart, 

*•       Not  anguish  of  body  or  limb, 
That  causes  the  hue  from  my  cheek  to  depart, 
And  mine  eye  to  grow  rayless  and  dim. 

'Tis  the  mem'ry  of  Salem  afar, 

Of  Salem  the  city  of  God, 
In  darkness  now  wrapped  like  the  moon  and  the  star 

When  the  tempests  of  night  are  abroad. 

The  walls  of  the  city  are  razed, 

The  gates  of  the  city  are  burned ; 
And  the  temple  of  God,  where  my  fathers  have  praised, 

To  the  ashes  of  ruin  are  turned. 

140 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

The  palace  of  kings  is  consumed, 

Where  the  timbrels  were  wont  to  resound ; 

And  the  sepulchre  domes,  like  the  bones  they  entombed, 
Are  mould'ring  away  in  the  ground. 

And  the  fugitive  remnant  that  breathe 
In  the  land  that  their  fellows  have  trod, 

Sit  in  sorrow  and  gloom ;  for  a  shadow  like  death 
O'erhangs  every  wretched  abode. 

I  have  wept,  I  have  fasted,  and  prayed 

To  the  great  and  terrible  God, 
For  this  city  of  mine  that  in  ruin  is  laid, 

And  my  brethren  who  smart  by  His  rod. 

And  now  I  beseech  thee,  O  King! 

If  favor  I  find  in  thy  sight, 
That  I  may  revisit  my  home,  where  the  wing 

Of  destruction  is  spread  like  the  night. 

And  when  I  to  Shushan  return 

From  rebuilding  my  forefathers'  tomb, 
No  more  shall  the  heart  of  thy  cup-bearer  burn 

With  those  sorrows  that  melt  and  consume. 

WILLIAM  KNOX. 


Belshazzar 

DELSHAZZAR  is  king!     Belshazzar  is  Lord! 
*-*  And  a  thousand  dark  nobles  all  bend  at  his  board ; 
Fruits  glisten,  flowers  blossom,  meats  steam,  and  a  flood 
Of  wine  that  man  loveth  runs  redder  than  blood; 
Wild  dancers  are  there,  and  a  riot  of  mirth, 
And  the  beauty  that  maddens  the  passions  of  earth; 
And  the  crowds  all  shout,  till  the  vast  roofs  ring — 
"All   praise  to   Belshazzar,   Belshazzar   the  king!" 

141 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Bring  forth,"  cries  the  monarch,  "the  vessels  of  gold, 
Which  my  father  tore  down  from  the  temples  of  old; 
Bring  forth!"  and  before  him  the  vessels  all  shine, 
And  he  bows  unto  Baal,  and  he  drinks  the  dark  wine, 
While  the  trumpets  bray  and  the  cymbals  ring, — 
"Praise,  praise  to  Belshazzar,  Belshazzar  the  king!" 

Now  what  cometh — look,  look! — without  menace  or 

call? 
Who  writes  with  the  lightning's  bright  hand  on  the 

wall? 

What  pierceth  the  king  like  the  point  of  a  dart? 
What   drives   the   bold   blood    from   his   cheek   to  his 

heart  ? 

"Chaldeans!     Magicians!  the  letters  expound!" 
They  are  read, — and  Belshazzar  is  dead  on  the  ground ! 
Hark! — The  Persian  is  come  on  a  conqueror's  wing; 
And  a  Mede's  on  the  throne  of  Belshazzar  the  king. 
BRYAN  WALLER  PROCTOR. 
(Barry  Cornwall). 


Daniel 

I MPERIAL  Persia  bowed  to  his  wise  sway — 
•*•       A  hundred  provinces  his  daily  care ; 

A  queenly  city  with  its  gardens  fair 
Smiled  round  him — but  his  heart  was  far  away, 
Forsaking  pomp  and  power  "three  times  a  day." 

For  chamber  lone,  he  seeks  his  solace  there  ; 

Through  windows  opening  westward  floats  his  prayer 
Towards  the  dear  distance  where  Jerusalem  lay, 
So  let  me  morn,  noon,  evening,  steal  aside 

And  shutting  my  heart's  door  to  earth's  vain  pleasure 

And  manifold  solicitudes,  find  leisure 
The  windows  of  my  soul  to  open  wide 

Towards  that  blest  city  and  that  heavenly  treasure 
Which  past  these  visible  horizons  hide. 

RICHARD  WILTON. 

142 


BIBLICAL   AND   POST-BIBLICAL 


Vision  of  Belshazzar 

""THE  King  was  on  his  throne, 

The  Satraps  throng'd  the  hall; 
A  thousand  bright  lamps  shone 

O'er  that  high  festival. 
A  thousand  cups  of  gold, 

In  Judah  deem'd  divine — 
Jehovah's  vessels  hold 

The  godless  Heathen's  wine. 

In  that  same  hour  and  hall 

The  fingers  of  a  hand 
Came  forth  against  the  wall, 

And  wrote  as  if  on  sand: 
The  fingers  of  a  man ; — 

A  solitary  hand 
Along  the  letters  ran, 

And  traced  them  like  a  wand. 

The  monarch  saw,  and  shook, 

And  bade  no  more  rejoice; 
All  bloodless  wax'd  his  look, 

And  tremulous  his  voice. 
"Let  the  men  of  lore  appear, 

The  wisest  of  the  earth, 
And  expound  the  words  of  fear, 

Which  mar  our  royal  mirth." 

Chaldea's  seers  are  good, 

But  here  they"  have  no  skill  ; 
And  the  unknown  letters  stood 

Untold  and  awful  still. 
And  Babel's  men  of  age 

Are  wise  and  deep  in  lore; 
But  now  they  were  not  sage  ; 

They  saw — but  knew  no  more. 

143 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  captive  in  the  land, 

A  stranger  and  a  youth, 
He  heard  the  king's  command, 

He  saw  that  writing's  truth. 
The  lamps  around  were  bright, 

The  prophecy  in  view; 
He  read  it  on  that  night — 

The  morrow  proved  it  true ! 

"Belshazzar's  grave  is  made, 

His  kingdom  pass'd  away, 
He,  in  the  balance  weigh'd, 

Is  light  and  worthless  clay; 
The  shroud  his  robe  of  state, 

His  canopy  the  stone; 
The  Mede  is  at  his  gate! 

The  Persian  on  his  throne!" 

LORD  BYRON. 


Babylon 

'THOU  glory  of  a  thousand  kings, 
*•     Proud  daughter  of  the  East! 
That  dwellest  as  on  sea-birds'  wings, 

Upon  Euphrates'  breast; 
As  lofty  as  thy  pride  of  old, 

So  deep  shall  be  thy  doom ; 
Thy  wealth  is  fled,  thy  days  are  told, 

Awake!  thine  end  is  come! 

A  sound  of  war  is  in  the  lands! 

A  sword  is  on  thy  host ! 
Thy  princes  and  their  mighty  bands — 

The  Lord  shall  mock  their  boast ! 
His  Hand  has  rein'd  the  rushing  steed, 

And  quell'd  the  rage  of  war; 
Shall  stay  the  flying  lance's  speed 

And  burn  the  whirling  car. 

144 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Set  ye  the  standard  in  the  lands  ; 

The  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  said, 
Bid  trumpets  rouse  the  distant  bands 

Of  Persia  and  the  Mede; 
The  bucklers  bring,  make  bright  the  dart, 

I  lead  thee  forth  to  war, 
To  burst  the  gates  of  brass  apart 

And  break  the  iron  bar! 

The  spoiler's  hand  is  come  upon 

Thy  valiant  men  of  might, 
Their  lion  hearts,  proud  Babylon, 

Have  failed  thee  in  the  fight; 
Thy  cities  are  all  desolate, 

Thy  lofty  gates  shall  fall, 
The  hand  that  wrought  Gomorrah's  fate 

Shall  crush  thy  mighty  wall. 

The  shepherd  shall  not  fold  his  flocks 

Upon  the  desert  plain, 
But,  lurking  in  thy  cavern'd  rocks, 

The  forest  beast  shall  reign. 
Fair  Babylon,  Lost  Babylon! 

Sit  in  the  dust  and  mourn, 
Hurled  headlong  from  thy  lofty  throne — 

Forgotten  and  forlorn! 

ANONYMOUS. 


Herod's  Lament  for  Mariamne 

,   Mariamne!  now  for  thee, 
The  heart  for  which  thou  bled'st  is  bleeding ; 
Revenge  is  lost  in  agony, 

And  wild  remorse  to  rage  succeeding. 
Oh !  Mariamne !  where  art  thou  ? 

Thou  canst  not  hear  my  bitter  pleading: 
Ah!  couldst  thou — thou  wouldst  pardon  now, 
Though  Heaven  were  to  my  prayer  unheeding. 

145 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  is  she  dead, — and  did  they  dare 

Obey  my  frenzy's  jealous  raving? 
My  wrath  but  doom'd  my  own  despair: 

The  sword  that  smote  her  o'er  me  waving. 
But  thou  art  cold,  my  murder'd  love! 

And  this  dark  heart  is  vainly  craving 
For  her  who  soars  alone  above, 

And  leaves  my  soul  unworthy  saving. 

She's  gone,  who  shar'd  my  diadem ; 

She  sunk,  with  her  my  joys  entombing; 
I  swept  that  flower  from  Judah's  stem, 

Whose  leaves  for  me  alone  were  blooming; 
And  mine's  the  guilt,  and 'mine  the  hell, 

This  bosom's  desolation  dooming; 
And  I  have  earn'd  those  tortures  well, 

Which  unconsumed  are  still  consuming! 

LORD  BYRON. 

The  Ark  of  the  Covenant 

""THERE  is  a  legend  full  of  joy  and  pain, 
•*       An  old  tradition  told  of  former  years, 
When  Israel  built  the  Temple  once  again 
And  stayed  his  tears. 

'Twas  in  the  chamber  where  the  Wood  Pile  lay, 
The  logs  wherewith  the  altar's  flame  was  fed ; 

There  hope  recalled  the  Light  of  vanished  day, 
The  Light  long  fled. 

A  priest  moved  slowly  o'er  the  marble  floor, 
Sorting  the  fuel  in  the  chamber  stored; 

Frail  was  his  form ; — he  ministered  no  more 
Before  the  Lord. 

146 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Wrapt  in  still  thought,  with  sad  and  mournful  mien, 
Pyking  his  axe  with  oft  a  troubled  sigh, 

He  dreamed  of  glory  which  the  House  had  seen 
In  days  gone  by; 

Mused  of  the  time  when  in  the  Holy  Place 
God's  Presence  dwelt  between  the  Cherubim, 

And  of  the  day  He  turned  away  His  face, 
And  light  grew  dim; 

When  the  Shechinah  from  that  erring  throng, 
Alas,  withdrew,  yet  tarried  in  the  track, 

As  one  who  lingereth  on  the  threshold  long 
And  looketh  back; 

Then  step  by  step  in  that  reluctant  flight 
Approached  the  shadow  of  the  city  wall, 

And  lingered  yet  upon  the  mountain  height 
For  hoped  recall. 

The  Temple  standing,  pride  of  Israel's  race, 
Hath  resting  there  no  sacred  Ark  of  Gold; 

God's  Glory  filleth  not  the  Holy  Place 
As  once  of  old. 

Surely  the  glory  of  the  House  is  o'er; 

Gone  is  the  Presence,  silent  is  the  Voice; — 
They  who  remember  that  which  is  no  more, 

Can  they  rejoice? 

To  him,   so  musing,   sudden   rapture  came; 

The  axe  fell  from  his  trembling  hand's  control; 
A  fire  leapt  upward,  and  a  burning  flame 

Woke  in  his  soul. 

His  eyes  had  seen;  his  soul  spoke;  he  had  gazed 
Upon  one  stone  of  that  smooth  marble  plain: — 

Lo!  from  its  place  it  surely  had  been  raised, 
And  set  again. 

147 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Into  his  heart  there  flashed  prophetic  light; 

With  sudden  force  the  secret  was  revealed; 
What  but  one   treasure,  sacred   in  his  sight, 

Lay  there  concealed? 

As  one  of  Heaven  bid  who  dare  not  wait, 

With  step  grown  firm  as  with  the  strength  of  youth, 

He  hastened  to  his  comrade  to  relate 
The  wondrous  truth. 

With  hand  uplifted,  and  a  light  sublime 

In  eyes  that  full  of  some  new  wonder  shone, 

He  seemed  a  holy  seer  of  olden  time 
To  look  upon. 

Yet  from  his  parted  lips  no  message  came ; 

In  silence  reached  he  his  immortal   goal; 
And  from  its  dwelling  in  the  earthly  frame 

Went  forth  his  soul. 

Soon  o'er  the  house  flew,  murmuring,  strange  reports, 
And  men  and  women  trembled  at  the  sound, 

And  priests  came  swiftly  from  the  sacred  courts, 
And  thronged  around. 

And  all  these  came  from  all  their  paths  away, 
In  hurried  gathering  which  none  gainsaid, 

And  stood  in  utter  silence  where  he  lay, 
The  priestly  dead. 

Lo!  in  the  hush  the  spirit,  as  it  passed 

Beyond  the  still  form  and  the  peaceful  brow, 

Seemed  to  speak  audibly:  "O  Lord,  at  last! 
I  see  Thee  now. 

"Mine  eyes  have  seen  this  day  my  life's  fair  dream, 
In  this  my  death  have  seen  that  dream  fulfilled — 

The  longing  of  my  heart,  the  wish  supreme 
That  grief  instilled, 

148 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

"I  said,  God's  Ark  is  captive  far  away, 

So  wept  I,  Ichabod,  for  glory  fled, 
And  mourned   because  the  brightness   of  the   day 

Was  quenched  and  dead. 

"Yet,  verily,  if  in  a  far-off  land 

The  Ark  of  God  in  exile  dwelleth  still, 

Yea,  even  so  'tis  with  the  pure  of  hand 
Who  do  His  will. 

"Know  then,  ye  priests  and  Levites,  Israel  all, 
Hid  in  its  place  the  Ark  of  God  doth  lie, 

His  presence  hath  not  gone  beyond  recall, 
But  bideth  nigh. 

"Haste,  brethren,  let  the  gates  asunder  burst; 

Regain  the  Ark,  the  Covenant  hold  fast  ; 
And  by  the  glorious  Second  House,  the  First 

Shall  be  surpassed! 

"Behold,  thou  comest  as  the  dawn  of  day! 

Shechinah !  changeless,  to  illume  the  night ! 
O  Thou,  Who  art  a  lamp  upon  the  way, 

Who  art  the  light!" 

So  sang  his  soul,  with  life's  full  radiance  crowned; 

So  dawned  again  the  shining  of  God's  face; 
For  each  heart  knew  the  Ark  could  yet  be  found 

Within  its  place. 

NINA  DAVIS. 


Before  the  Ark 

"VY7HEN  Solomon,  great  King  of  Israel, 
*y       Builded  the  Temple  of  old, 
He    fashioned    the    "Ark    of    the   Cov'nant' 
Within  and  without  of  gold. 

149 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

He  moulded  two  Cherubim  splendid 
(At  God,  the  Eternal's  command) 

Whose  pinions  the  Holy  of  Holies 
Like  a  luminous  symbol  spanned. 

The  wings  of  these  wonderful  angels 

He  welded  together  where 
The  Lord  from  His  high  seat  of  Mercy 

Re-echoed  the  voice  divine. 

And  thus  when  the  people  lay  prostrate 

Before  the  shimmering  shrine, 
From  betwixt  the  horns  of  the  Altar 

Re-echoed  the  voice  divine. 

We,  also,  dear  children  of  Israel, 

Are  bending  before  the  Ark, 
And  our  spirits'  gold  wings  are  shining 

Bright  in  the  mystical  dark. 

As  they  touch,  we  whisper  devoutly 

The  great  ineffable  name, 
And  His  voice,  like  music  celestial, 

Chimes  from  the  Ner  Tamid's  *  flame. 

The  words  we  can  clearly  distinguish — 
Their  meaning  is  solemn  and   grand ; 

"O,   Children  of   Israel,   remember! 
Know  ye  before  Whom  you  stand!'' 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


*  The  "Perpetual  Lamp,"  burning  at  the  Altar. 


150 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 


Menorah 

\V7E'VE  read  in  legends  of  the  books  of  old 

**     How  deft  Bezalel,  wisest  in  his  trade, 
At  the  command  of  veiled  Moses  made 
The  seven-branched   candlestick  of  beaten   gold — 
The  base,  the  shaft,  the  cups,  the  knobs,  the  flowers, 
Like  almond  blossoms — and  the  lamps  were  seven. 

We  know  at  least  that  on  the  templed  rock 

Of  Zion  hill,  with  earth's  revolving  hours 

Under   the  changing   centuries   of   heaven, 

It  stood  upon  the  solemn  altar  block, 

By  every  Gentile  who  had  heard  abhorred — 

The  holy  light  of  Israel  of  the  Lord; 

Until  that  Titus  and  the  legions  came 

And  battered  the  walls  with  catapult  and  fire, 

And  bore  the  priest  and  candlestick  away, 

And,  as  memorial  of  fulfilled  desire, 

Bade  carve  upon  the  arch  that  bears  his  name 

The  stone  procession  ye  may  see  today 

Beyond  the  Forum  on  the  Sacred  Way, 

Lifting  the  golden  candlestick  of  fame. 

The  city  fell,  the  temple  was  a  heap; 

And  little  children,  who  had  else  grown  strong 

And  in  their  manhood  venged  the  Roman  wrong, 

Strewed  step  and  chamber,  in  eternal  sleep. 

But  the  great  vision  of  the  sevenfold  flames 

Outlasted  the  cups  wherein  at  first  it  sprung. 

The  Greeks  might  teach  the  arts,  the  Romans  law ; 

The  heathen  hordes  might  shout  for  bread  and  games; 

Still  Israel,  exalted  in  the  realms  of  awe, 

Guarded  the  Light  in  many  an  alien  air, 

Along  the  borders  of  the  midland  sea 

In  hostile  cities,  spending  praise  and  prayer 

And  pondering  on  the  larger  things  that  be — 

Down  through  the  ages,  when  the  Cross  uprose 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Among  the  northern  Gentiles  to  oppose: 
Then  huddled  in  the  ghettos,  barred  at  night, 
In  lands  of  unknown  trees,  and  fiercer  snows, 
They  watched  for  evermore  the  Light,  the  Light. 

The  main  seas  opened  to  the  west.     The  Nations 

Covered   new   continents  with   generations 

That  had  their  work  to  do,  their  thought  to  say; 

And  Israel's  hosts  from  bloody  towns  afar 

In  the  dominions  of  the  ermined  Czar, 

Seared  with  the  iron,  scarred  with  many  a  stroke, 

Crowded  the  hollow  ships  but  yesterday. 

And  came  to  us  who  are  to-morrow's  folk, 

And  the  pure  Light,   however  some  might  doubt 

Who  mocked  their  dirt  and  rags,  had  not  gone  out. 

The  holy  Light  of  Israel  hath  unfurled 
Its  tongues  of  mystic  flame  around  the  world. 
Empires  and  Kings  and  Parliaments  have  passed; 
Rivers  and  mountain  chains  from  age  to  age 
Become  new  boundaries  for  man's  politics. 
The  navies  run  new  ensigns  up  the  mast, 
The  temples  try  new  creeds,  new  equipage; 
The  schools  new  sciences  beyond  the  six. 
And  through  the  lands  where  many  a  song  hath  rung 
The  people  speak  no  more  their  fathers'  tongue. 
Yet  in  the  shifting  energies  of  man 
The  Light  of  Israel  remains  her  Light. 
And  gathered  to  a  splendid  caravan 
From  the  four  corners  of  the  day  and  night, 
The  chosen  people — so  the  prophets  hold- 
Shall  yet  return  unto  the  homes  of  old 
Under  the  hills  of  Judah.     Be  it  so. 
Only  the  stars  and  moon  and  sun  can  show 
A  permanence  of  light  to  hers  akin. 

What  is  that  Light?     Who  is  there  that  shall  tell 
The  purport  of  the  tribe  of  Israel? — 

152 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

In  the  wild  welter  of  races  on  that  earth 
Which  spins  in  space  where  thousand  others  spin — 
The  casual  offspring  of  the  Cosmic  Mirth 
Perhaps — what  is  there  any  man  can  win, 
Of  any  nation?     Ultimates  aside, 
Men  have  their  aims,  and  Israel  her  pride, 
She  stands  among  the  rest,  austere,  aloof, 
Still  the  peculiar  people,  armed  in  proof 
Of  Selfhood,  whilst  the  others  merge  or  die. 
She  stands  among  the  rest  and  answers:     "I, 
Above  ye  all,  must  ever  gauge  success 
By  ideal  types,  and  know  the  more  and  less 
Of  things  as  being  in  the  end  defined, 
For  this  our  human  life  by  righteousness; 
And  if  I  base  this  in  Eternal  Mind — 
Our  fathers'  God  in  victory  or  distress — 
I  cannot  argue  for  my  hardihood, 
Save  that  the  thought  is  in  my  flesh  and  blood, 
And  made  me  what  I  was  in  olden  time, 
And  keeps  me  what  I  am  today  in  every  clime." 
WILLIAM  ELLERY  LEONARD. 


The  Menorah 

C"OR  ages  imprisoned  in  shadow, 

I  had  longed  for  a  glimpse  of  the  light; 
And  so  when  the  sun  in  his  glory, 

Bewildered  and  dazzled  my  sight, 
I  acclaimed  him  my  God  and  desired 

To  pour  forth  my  soul  to  this  One, 
To  bow  down  midst  worshiping  strangers, 

And  pray,  as  they  prayed,  to  the  Sun. 

I  abandoned  my  temple  and  altars, 

Denied  my  Menorah  its  flame, 
For  is  there  not  one  Sun  in  Heaven 

That  shines  upon  all  men  the  same? 

153 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

On  every  tongue  but  one  language, 

In  every  heart  but  one  prayer? 
Oh,   all  the  world  is  my  temple, 

I'm  one  of  the  worshipers  there! 

But  evening  came  with  the  twilight, 

And  lo!  Now  my  Sun-God  was  gone; 
And  far  the  sun-worshipers  scattered 

When  the  last  glow  of  light  was  done. 
Then  all  of  them  lit  their  own  candles, 

Each  followed  a  star  of  his  own, 
And  there  in  his  own  light's  glimmer 

He  worshiped  a  God  of  his  own ! 

And  so  I  relit  my  Menorah, 

By  its  light  my  own  God  I  extol; 
And  by  the  dim  flaming  Menorah 

I  seek  to  discover  my  soul. 
Its  oil  is  a  life-giving  fountain, 

Its   wick   as   our   union    appears, 
And  I  see  by  its  flame  ascending 

The  course  of  our  future  years! 

HARRY  WOLFSOHN. 
(Translated  by  H.  B.  Ehrmann.) 


The    Holy    Flame    "Menorah" 

HPHOU  sacred  flame,  so  mellow  and  subdued, 
*-     Burning  with  tremulous,   flickering  beam 
In  the  holy  place,  before  the  all  Supreme, 
As  though  the  very  fire  were  all  imbued 

With  that  almighty  prophet's  humble  soul, 
With  Moses'  sense  of  deep  humility, 

Whose  height  of  feeling  knew  no  humble  goal, 
Whose  aims  bore  naught  of  man's  futility. 

154 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

Thou,  holy  fire,  whose  light  shall  ever  guide 

The  steps  of  wandering  Israel,  to  the  shrine 

Of  Him  who  was,  who  is,  and  ne'er  will  cease  to  be 

Whose  luminous  fire  gleams  down  the  tide 

Of  centuries,  both  of  greatness  and  of  woe, 

When  Israel's  greatness  bore  a  trace  divine, 

When  Israel's  fortune  sank,  far,  far  below 

Even  the  lot  of  those  poor  Nubian  slaves, 

Who  served  our  fathers  in   the  promised  land; 

To  thee,  oh  ancient  light!  whose  very  name 

Is  a  memorial  of  God's  earliest  word, 

We  look  to  thee,  and  hail  the  conquering  hand 

Of  wisdom's  day,  o'er  spiritual  night, 

And  breathe  with  God :  "Let  there  be  Light." 

GEORGE  JAY  HOLLAND. 


The  Prayer  of  the  High  Priest 
100  Years  B.  C.  E. 


High  Priest  at  the  altar  lingering  stood  — 
The  service  o'er. 
The  worshippers  with  faces  kind  and  good, 
Passed  from  the  door. 

The  synagogue  was  empty;  only  one  — 

A  Child  —  remained  ; 
With  eager  eyes  as  shining  as  the  Sun 

He  stood  as  chained. 

"Kohen  Gadol,"  said  he,  "When  I  grow 

To  man's  estate, 
I  hope  that  I  shall  know  the  things  you  know 

And  be  as  great. 

"And  Oh,  I  wish  such  glorious  robes  to  wear 

As  these  of  yours, 
Dear  Master,  intercede  for  me  in  prayer, 

For   that   secures 

155 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"What  e'er  you  ask.     And  here — behold  I  bring 
These  beauteous  flowers; 

Upon  the  brink  of  Kedron  they  did  cling 
These  many  hours. 

"Accept  them.     With  the  other  blossoms — see? — 

Are  here,  so  fair, 
The  Valley  Lilies;  these  I  give  to  thee, 

Now  make  thy  prayer." 

On  that  boy's  head  the  High  Priest — smiling — laid 

A  kindly  hand. 
He  said:  "My  child,  these  lilies  here  have  prayed; 

They  understand 

"As  well  as  I  the  mysteries  of  God. 

I  ask  for  you 
Such  raiment  as  the  flowers  of  the  sod 

When  fresh  with  dew. 

"Abide  thou  in  thine  innocence,  for  lo! 

The  Great  High  Priest 
May  even  less  of  God — Jehovah — know 

Than  thou,  the  Least." 

MARIE  HARROLD  GARRISON. 


The  High  Priest  to  Alexander 

"Derrame  en  todo  el  orbe  de  la  tierra 
Las  armas,  el  furor,  y  nueva  guerra." 

La  Araucana,  Canto  xvi. 

O  forth!  thou  man  of  force! 

The  world  is  all  thine  own; 
Before  thy  dreadful  course 

Shall  totter  every  throne. 
Let  India's  jewels  glow 

Upon  thy  diadem: 
Go,   forth  to  conquest  go, 
But  spare  Jerusalem. 

156 


BIBLICAL   AND    POST-BIBLICAL 

For  the  God  of  gods,  which  liveth 

Through    all   eternity, 
'Tis  He  alone  which  giveth 

And  taketh  victory: 
'Tis  He  the  bow  that  blasteth, 

And  breaketh  the  proud  one's  quiver; 
And  the  Lord  of  armies  resteth 

In  His  Holy  of  Holies  for  ever! 

For  God  is  Salem's  spear, 

And  God  is  Salem's  sword; 
What  mortal  man  shall  dare 

To  combat  with  the  Lord? 
Every  knee  shall  bow 

Before  His  awful  sight ; 
Every  thought  sink  low 

Before  the  Lord  of  might. 
For  the  God  of  gods,  which  liveth 

Through  all  eternity, 
'Tis  He  alone  which  giveth 

And  taketh  victory: 
'Tis  He  the  bow  that  blazeth, 

And  breaketh  the  proud  one's  quiver; 
And  the  Lord  of  armies  resteth 

In  His  Holy  of  Holies  for  ever! 

ALFRED  TENNYSON. 

On  the  Day  of  the  Destruction  of  Jerusalem 
by  Titus 

17RC)M    the   last  hill   that  looks  on   the  once  holy 

dome, 

I  beheld  thee,  O  Sion,  when  render'd  to  Rome; 
'Twas  thy  last  sun  went  down,  and  the  flames  of  thy 

fall 
Flash'd  back  on  the  last  glance  I  gave  to  thy  wall. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  look'd  for  thy  temple,  I  look'd  for  my  home, 
And  forgot  for  a  moment  my  bondage  to  come; 
I  beheld  but  the  death-fire  that  fed  on  thy  fane, 
And   the   fast-fetter'd   hands  that  made  vengeance  in 
vain. 

On  many  an  eve,  the  high  spot  whence  I  gazed 
Had  reflected  the  last  beam  of  day  as  it  blazed ; 
While  I  stood  on  the  height  and  beheld  the  decline 
Of  the  rays  from  the  mountains   that  shone  on  thy 
shrine. 

And  now  on  the  mountain  I  stood  on  that  day, 
But  I  mark'd  not  the  twilight  beam  melting  away! 
Oh !  would  that  the  lightning  had  glared  in  its  stead, 
And  the  thunderbolt  burst  on  the  conqueror's  head! 

But  the  gods  of  the  Pagan  shall  never  profane 
The  shrine  where  Jehovah  disdain'd  not  to  reign; 
And  scatter'd  and  scorn'd  as  thy  people  may  be, 
Our  worship,  O  Father!  is  only  for  Thee. 

LbRD  BYRON. 


At  Samaria 

YV7E  climbed  the  hill  where  from  Samaria's  crown 

In  marble  majesty  once  looked  away 
Toward  Hermon,  white  beneath  the  Syrian  day; 
And  lo,  no  vestige  of  the  old  renown. 

Save  a  long  colonnade  bescarred  and  brown, 
Remained  to  tell  of  Herod's  regal  sway, 
The  gold,  the  gauds,  the  imperial  display, 

He  heaped  on  Judah's  erewhile  princely  town. 

• 

Ruin  was  riotous;  decay  was  king; 

An  olive  -root  engript  the  topmost  stone 

As  tho  it  clutched  and  crusht  the  thing  called  fame ; 

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BIBLICAL   AND   POST-BIBLICAL 

Seemed  as  a  fragile  wind-flower  petal  blown 
Into  the  void,  the  past's  vain  glorying, 
And  Herod  but  the  shadow  of  a  name! 

CLINTON  SCOLLARD. 

The  Temple 

O  forth,  O  people, 

Sacred  to  thought,  to  labour  and  to  sorrow, 
And   through   the  centuries   pursue   thy  way. 
God  of  Infinity,  He  is  thy  God, 
And  measureless  alike  'mid  alien  fanes, 
Along  the  sea  and  lands  that  thou  shalt  tread, 
Pilgrim  of  endless  years,  thy  path  shall  be. 
The  road  is  dark,  is  long  and  full  of  pain; 
Beside  thee  still  shall  go,  at  God's  behest, 
Like  to  the  fiery  column,  quenchless  Hope. 
As  winnowed   grain  is   flung  into   the   air, 
So,  'midst  all  peoples  God  shall  scatter  thee, 
And  thou  shalt  bear,  as  well  as  thine  own  griefs, 
The  griefs  and  burdens  of  all  other  races. 
Peoples  shall  rise,  shall  shine,  shall  pass  away, 
But  thou,  sacred  to  life,  beside  the  graves 
Of  all  shall  pass  immortal,  vaster  far  than  time 
Or  than  this  earth,  no  tomb  can  hold 
Thy  thoughts  immeasurable. 

Sorrowful  and  grand, 

Thou  to  the  rush  confused  of  years  to  come, 
And  in  the  wreck  of  peoples  and  of  empires, 
Thou  in  all  ages,  living,  speaking  witness, 
Shalt  say  to  all — "I  am."     And  to  the  past 
The  future  thou  shalt  bind,  and  race  to  race, 
People  to  people,  and  the  scattered  limbs 
Of  Adam  drawing  into  thine  own  self, 
In  thee,  new  Adam,  one  mankind  shall  grow 
Like  unto  God,  and  holy  on  the  earth. 
Thou  the  reviving  universe  shalt  fill 
With  truth  and  peace. 

DAVID  LEVI. 

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Ode  to  the  Sacred  Lamps 

Q  FUGITIVES  from  black  Oppression's  bread, 
^^       Scourged   of    your    God,    through    flames    and 

furies  led 
To  Babel's  streams,  to  Persia's  milder  shore, 

To  Afric's  marge,  and  isles  of  pensive  Greece; — 
'Twas  not  with  magic,  not  with  priestly  lore, 

But  with  high  wisdom,  folded  in  a  fleece, 
You  spread,  broadcast,  the  seeds  of  Hebrew  power! 
Oppression's  head  was  bruised   in   Israel's  bower, 
By  you,  who  steeped  your  souls'  high-centered  pride 

In  day  dreams  of  old  Zion's  new  built  State; 
With  cunning  hands,  you  raised  unto  your  bride, 

Temples  and  schools,  defying  death  and  fate; 
In    Yavneh   and    in    Pumbadissa,    Egypt,    Spain    and 

Rome, — 

You  toasted  deep  the  Torah's  health  and  dreamed  of 
your  "Old  Home." 

The  Western  surge  keeps  ringing  in  mine  ears, 

Music  too  sweet,  to  stir  my  breast  with  fears. 

Out  there,  fine  vistas  shaping  life,  I  view, 

To  mart  and  farm,  arid  mansions  by  the  sea, 
On  soils  superb,  divine  as  Hermon's  dew; — 

Visions  ecstatic,  splendours  new  to  me, 
Wind  round  my  heart,  a  fragrant  benison: — 
"Israel  ne'er  shall  orphaned  be  again" ; 

Her  Talmud  schools,  her  Temples'  gilded  shrines, 

Imaged  by  men  of  high  magnetic  zeal, 
Floating  the  Stars  and  Stripes'  triumphant  signs, 

Shall  build  a  race  strong  for  the  Commonweal ; 
Apt  for  affairs,  keen  in  debate;  with   scholar  strata- 
gem, 
Enkindled  by  the  sacred  lamps  of  Old  Jerusalem. 

M.  L.  R.  BRESLAR. 


1 60 


II 

TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 


The  Sea  of  the  Talmud 

'T'HE  moon  is  up,  the  stars  shine  bright, 
*•    The  milky  way  glows  soft  and  white. 
We've  spread  our  sails  to  catch  the  breeze 
That  frets  the  vast  rabbinic  seas. 

We've  spread  our  sails  to  roam  amain 
That  profits  neither  gold  nor  gain, 
Whose  shores  are  stretched  along  a  land, 
Unmapped  by  man's  designing  hand. 

Beneath  no  lowering,  storm-mad  skies 
We  start  on  our  strange  enterprise — 
Set  outward  bound,  where  signals  gleam 
Beyond  the  shadows  of  our  dream, 

To  realms  no  feet  of  mortal  man 
Have    trodden    on    or   ever   can, 
And  port  at  quays  no  ship-bound  crew 
Has  sighted  in  the  cosmic  blue. 

The  ports  there  made  are  set  afar 
Like  distant  morn  or  evening  star, 
And  golden  as  the  halls  of  Ind 
Where  hush  the  sobbings  of  the  wind. 

Who  rides  this  main,  he  travels  wide 
And  sees  the  flood  and  ebbing  tide 
Run  up   and  down  a  fabled  shore 
Outlined  complete  in  cryptic  lore. 

Our  rigging  firm,  our  compass  true 
And  manned  with  brave  and  seasoned  crew 
We  sail  at  ease  this  unplumbed  sea 
Of  knowledge  and  of  mystery. 

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Enroute  we  pass  odd  crafts  and  barks 
Whose  pennants  fly  the  signal  marks 
Of  playful  whims  that,  fancy  free, 
Glide  o'er  this  vast  rabbinic  sea. 

Then  undulating  like  to  grain 
We  rock,  as  out  we  head  again 
Our  graceful  sloop — or  east  or  west — 
It  matters  not  which  way  the  quest. 

There  flows  in  this  rabbinic  sea 
The  streams  whose  springs  are  poetry; 
And  rivulets  from  fancy's  height 
Drop  down  to  add  their  welcome  mite. 

And  islands,  where  the  palm  trees  dim 
The  visions  of  the  Anakim; 
And  animals  as  high  as  these 
Play  quoits  with  fishes  in  the  seas. 

Along  this  course   there's  ever   found 
Elijah  on  his  daily  round, 
Who  unafraid  of  good  or  ill, 
Strives  but  to  do  another's  will. 

What  pageantry  of  kings  we  pass 
Resplendent  as  the  royal  glass 
The  sages  quaff,  when  at  their  feast, 
The  banquet  hall  lights  up  the  east. 

And  all  the  winds  that  make  the  round 
Of  heaven  bring  their  freighted  sound 
From  halls  where  grey-haired  sages  sit 
And  questions  of  their  Torah  knit. 

Yet  mists  at  times  befog  the  way 
Where  fretful  white  caps  madly  play; 
Then   midst  the  storm   the   seraphim 
Becalm  the  waves  by  praising  Him. 

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TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

No  other  sea  full-ebbed  as  this, 
Bequeathed  its  sailors  so  much  bliss, 
For  old  as  are  its  thundering  shores, 
Were  ne'er  bestrewn  with  spoils  of  wars. 

No  craft   that  ever  dents  their  waves 
Discharged  its  freight  in  watery  graves; 
For  he  who  sails  this  unique  sea 
Returns  with  his  own  argosy. 

The  moon  is  up.     The  stars  shine  bright; 
This  mystic  sea  is  swathed  in  light, 
And  from  its  depths  droll  voices  lure 
The  land  beset  forth  on  a  tour. 

Far  from  the  teeming  ports  and  quays, 
Where  men  and  women  fret  their  days, 
No  cruise  as  this  makes  sport  of  time, 
Or  breed  or  border,  land  or  clime. 

And  in  its  wake  a  thousand  ships 
In   gathering  darkness  evening  dips, 
Yet  happy  is  each  crew,  and  free, 
That  sails  this  vast  rabbinic  sea. 

JOSEPH  LEISER. 


The  Talmud 

A  NCIENT  pages  of  the  Talmud, 
*r       Legends,  tales  that  there  I  view, 
In  my  mournful  life  and  dreary 
Oftentimes  I  turn  to  you. 

When  at  night  amid  the  darkness 
On  mine  eyes  sleep  will  not  rest, 

And  I  sit  alone,  and  wretched, 
With  my  head   upon  my  breast, 

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In  those  hours,  as  a  star  shines 

In  the  azure  summer  night, 
Memories  amid  my  sadness 

Then  begin  to  glimmer  bright. 

I  recall  my  love,  my  childhood ; 

Those  sweet  hours  come  back  again 
When  I  still  was  free  from  sorrow, 

Free  from  anger,  free  from  pain. 

I  recall  those  times,  long  vanished, 

When  I  quaffed,  without  alloy, 
Life's  first,  best  and  sweetest  chalice, 

Freedom,  mirthfulness  and  joy. 

Those  old  years  so  sweet  and  precious 

Pass  again  before  mine  eyes, 
And  the  pages  of  the  Talmud 

In  my  memory  arise. 

Oh!  the   precious   ancient   pages! 

All  the  lights  and  stars  I  see 
Burning,  shining  in  those  pages; 

They  can  ne'er  extinguished  be! 

Myriad   streams  and   myriad   rivers 
Have  flowed  o'er  them  in  the  past; 

Sand  has  covered  them  and  hid  them, 
Storms  have  rent  them — still  they  last. 

Yes,  the  ancient,  ancient  pages 

Still  survive   and   perish  not, 
Although  yellowed,  torn  and  blackened, 

Here  a  hole  and  there  a  spot. 

What  of   that?     Indeed   it  truly 

Is  a  graveyard,  old  and  hoar, 

Where  within  the  tomb  lies  buried 

All  that  we  shall  see  no  more. 

S.   FRUG. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Stone  Blackwell.) 

1 66 


TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

Hillel  and  His  Guest 

A   Talmudic  Legend  , 

Boast  not  thyself  of  to-morrow;  for  thou  knowest  not 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth. — Proverbs  xxvii.  i. 

LJILLEL,  the  gentle,  the  beloved  sage, 

*  Expounded  day  by  day  the  sacred  page 
To  his  disciple  in  the  house  of  learning; 
And  day  by  day,  when  home  at  eve  returning, 
They  lingered,  clust'ring  round  him  loth  to  part 
From  him  whose  gentle  rule  won  every  heart. 
But  evermore,  when  they  were  wont  to  plead 
For  longer  converse,  forth  he  went  with  speed, 
Saying  each  day;  "I  go — the  hour  is  late — 
To  tend  the  guest  who  doth  my  coming  wait." 
Until  at  last  they  said:  "The  Rabbi  jests 
When  telling  us  thus  daily  of  his  guests 
That  wait  for  him."     The  Rabbi  paused  awhile, 
And  then  made  answer ;  "Think  you  I  beguile 
You  with  an  idle  tale?     Not  so,  forsooth! 
I  have  a  guest,  whom  I  must  tend  in  truth. 
Is  not  the  soul  of  man  indeed  a  guest, 
Who  in  this  body  deigns  a  while  to  rest, 
And  dwells  with  me  all  peacefully  to-day; 
To-morrow — may  it  not  have  fled  away?" 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


Akiba 

HEART,  who  art  a  fable,  new  and  true; 

O  soul,  a  legend  strange  and  sweet  as  joy; 
Lover,  whose  love  has  built,  not  razed  a  Troy; 
Akiba,  whom  heaven  and  angels  taught  to  woo. 

Lover,   and  lawyer,   all   Israel's  sceptred   mind, 
Who  luminous  mists  hast  orbed  into  a  sun 
Of  Oral  Law,  and  logic's  praises  won; 

A  shepherd's  crook  you  left,  a  wand  to  find. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Our  blameless  Lancelot  of  lists  of  lore, 

Who  made  Romance  a  theme  for  cherubim; 
And    love,    God's    Song    of    Songs,    His    heavenly 
hymn ; 

And  law,  a  mine  where  mercy  digs  for  ore. 

God's  patriot,   who   heaven   with    life   hast   sought, 
And  Holylands  in  Holyland  hast  known  ; 
Thou  art  a  part  of  heaven,  thou  hast  shown, 

Thou  art  a  part  of  "Torah"   thou  hast  taught. 

What  wonder  you  have  traversed  Paradise, 

It  was  your  gentle  spirit's  element; 

What    wealth    to    heaven,    what    penury    hell,    you 

sent  ; 
Courage  and  wisdom  hailed  you  brave  and  wise. 

And  virtue  named  you  saint,  and  greatness,  great; 

Patriotism,   patriot;  and  knowledge,  sage. 

And  love,  a  lover;  your  heart,  its  golden  page. 
And  holiness  rejoiced  to  own  you,  mate. 

What,  though  the  foe  your  frame  with  fires  shod?  , 
What,    though    he   drained    the   wine-vats   of   your 

veins? 

He  only  precious  made  like  gems,  your  pains; 
Aye,  kissed  by  God,  your  feet  on  crowns  have  trod. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


Sunshine  After  Storm 
A  Tale  from  the  Talmud 

""THE  rabbi  viewed  on  Zion's  hill 
•*•     A  fox  the  holy  ruins  treading, 
Expanding  griefs  their  bosoms  fill, 

Who  suppliant  hands  to  heaven  are  spreading. 

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TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

With  dancing  eyes  and  ringing  laugh, 

Akiba  marks  the  fox  descending; 
Exulting,  waves  aloft  his  staff; 

His  ill-timed  mirth  his  friends  offending. 

How  canst  thou   smile?     See  God's  own   house, 

His  holy  place  wild  beasts  infesting. 
Such  would  indignant  pity  rouse, 

If  grace  be  still  within  thee  resting. 

Why  weep?  quoth  he,  when  near  fulfilled: 
Her  doom  of  trouble  we're   beholding. 

Join  you  with  what  another  skilled 
In  heavenly  purpose,  is  unfolding. 

Comes  next,  the  later,  happier  seer 

Who  Salem's  glory  sees  in  vision, 
Of  men   and   dames   whose   hundredth   year 

Abounds  in  peace  and  rich  provision. 

Jeshurun  toils  through   grief  to  joy. 

Whom  God  would  choose,   He  first  must  chasten, 
Let  Israel  faith  and  hope  employ 

His  higher  destiny  to  hasten. 

WILLIAM  DEARNESS. 


Who  Serves  Best 

|N  stern  debate,  all  through  the  night  they  strove — 

The  sages  of  the  Talmud,  to  record 
What  man  deserved  the  favor  of  the  Lord. 
The  ancient  Rabbi  Judah,  he  who  throve 
On  fasting  and  on  prayer,  spake  of  one 
Who  lavished  wealth,  as  worthy.     "Nay,"  quoth  Saul, 
The  scribe  and  scholar,  looming  gaunt  and  tall, 
"None  but  the  wise  is  fit  to  look  upon!" 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Not  so,"  exclaimed  the  zealot  Zadok.     "Place 
Him  first  who  best  observes  the  Law!"     Lo,  then  was 

heard 
A   child's   sweet  voice   which    thrilled    the   men   who 

erred : — 

"To  him  alone  is  vouchsafed  God's  good  grace 
Who  renders  loving  service  to  his  kind !" — • 
And  ere  they  grasped  the  vision,  it  declined. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


Be  Not  Like  Servants  Basely  Bred 

A  NTIGONUS  of  Socho  said: 

Be  not  like  servants  basely  bred, 
Who    to    their  master   minister 
In  hope  of  gift  he  may  confer. 
But   be  you  like  those  servants  still, 
Who  strive  to  do  their  master's  will 
Without  a  thought  of  guerdon  given, 
And  be  on  you  the  fear  of  Heaven. 

And   this   did   Rabbi   Tarphon   say: 
The  work  is  great  and  short  the  day, 
Sluggish  the  labourers,  their  Lord 
Urgent,    but   mighty   the   reward. 
He  also  said :  'Tis  not  on  thee 
Incumbent,  that  thou  shouldest  end 
The  work,  but  neither  art  thou  free 
To  cease  from  it.     If  thou  dost  spend 
Much  time  in  studying  the  divine 
Torah,  much  guerdon  shall  be  thine, 
For   faithful   thine   employer   is 
To  pay  thee  for  thy  labour's  sum, 
And  know  thou  that  the  righteous  is 
Rewarded  in  the  time  to  come. 

And  Rabbi  Jacob  said  of  old : 
Do  thou  this  world  of  ours  behold 

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TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

As  though  a  vestibule  it  were 
Into  the  world  to  come.     Prepare 
Thyself  the  Vestibule  within, 
That  thou  the  hall  may'st  enter  in. 
And  further  thus  his  saying  reads: 
One  hour's  repentance  and   good  deeds 
In  this  world  better  is  than  all 
The  world   to  come,   but  yet  withal 
In  yonder  world  one  hour  of  bliss 
Is  better  than  all  life  in  this. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


The  Commandment  of  Forgetfulness 

DABBI   BEN   ZADOK,   o'er  the  sacred  law 

*  *•   Bending  with  reverent  joy,  with  sacred  awe 

Read  the  commandment:  "When  thy  harvest  yields 

Its  fruit  and  thou  when  reaping  in  the  fields, 

Dost  there  forget  a  sheaf  of  golden  grain, 

Fetch  it  not  in  to  thee!     It  shall  remain — 

The  poor,  the  stranger  and  the  widow's  store 

And  the  Lord  God  shall  bless  thee  evermore." 

Rabbi  ben  Zadok  closed  the  well-loved  book, 

And,   gazing  upward  with  a  troubled  look, 

He  said:  "With  joy  do  I  obey,  O  Lord, 

Each  hest  and  precept  of  Thy  holy  word, 

For  which  Thy  name  at  morn  and  eve  I  bless. 

But  this  commandment  of  forgetfulness 

I  have  not  yet  performed  as  Thou  hast  willed 

Since  to  remember  leaves  unfilled." 

So  mused  the  Rabbi.     But  when  autumn  came, 

And  waves  of  corn  glowed  'neath  the  sunset's  flame, 

It  chanced  at  evening,  that,  his  labors  o'er, 

He  stood  and  gazed  upon  his  garnered  store, 

And  suddenly  to  him  his  little  son 

Came  saying:  "Father,  see  what  thou  hast  done! 

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Three  sheaves  in  yonder  field  I  have  espied 
Forgotten!"  "Oh!"  the  pious  rabbi  cried, 
"Blessed  art  Thou,  O  Lord,  whose  gracious  will 
Enables  me  Thy  bidding  to  fulfil, 
Even  through  some  oversight!"     And  with  the  day 
Unto  the  house  of  God  he  took  his  way, 
And  offered  of  his  flocks  and  herds  the  best, 
For  joy  to  have  obeyed  the  Lord's  behest. 

Thus  runs  the  Talmud  tale!  O  God,  may  we 
Thus  evermore  rejoice  in  serving  Thee. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


Who  Are  the  Wise? 
From  Ethics  of  the  Fathers 

TTHEY  who  have  governed  with  a  self  control 
•*•     Each  wild  and  baneful  passion  of  the  soul — 
Curbed  the  strong  impulse  of  all  fierce  desires, 
But  kept  alive  affection's  purer  fires; 
Those  who  have  passed  the  labyrinth  of  life 
Without  one  hour  of  weakness  or  of  strife; 
Prepared  each  change  of  future  to  endure, 
Humble  tho'  rich,  and  dignified  tho'  poor — 
Skilled  in  the  latest  movements  of  the  heart — 
Learned  in  that  lore  which  nature  can  impart; 
Teaching  that  sweet  philosophy  aloud 
Which  sees  the  silver  lining  of  the  cloud; 
Looking  for  good  in  all  beneath  the  skies — 
Those  only  can  be  numbered  with  the  wise. 

ANONYMOUS. 

What  Rabbi  Jehosha  Said 

DABBI  JEHOSHA  used  to  say 

That  God  made  angels  every  day, 
Perfect  as  Michael  and  the  rest 
First  brooded  in  creation's  nest, 

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TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

Whose  only  office  was  to  cry 
Hosanna!  once  and  then  to  die; 
Or   rather,   with    Life's   essence   blent, 
To  be  led  home  from  banishment. 

Rabbi  Jehosha  had  the  skill 

To  know  that  Heaven  is  in  God's  will; 

And  doing  that,  though  for  a  space 

One  heart-beat  long,  may  win  a,  grace 

As  full  of  grandeur  and  of  glow 

As  Princes  of  the  Chariot  know. 

'T  were  glorious,  no  doubt,  to  be 

One  of  the  strong-winged  Hierarchy, 

To  burn  with  Seraphs,  or  to  shine 

With  Cherubs,  deathlessly  divine; 

Yet  I,  perhaps,  poor  earthly  clod, 

Could  I  forget  myself  in  God, 

Could  I  but  find  my  nature's  clue 

Simply  as  birds  and  blossoms  do, 

And  but  for  one  rapt  moment  know 

'T  is  Heaven  must  come,  not  we  must  go ; 

Should  win  my  place  as  near  the  throne 

As  the  pearl-angel  of  its  zone, 

And  God  would  listen  mid  the  throng 

For  my  one  breath  of  perfect  song, 

That,  in  its  simple  human  way, 

Said  all  the  Host  of  Heaven  could  say. 

JAMES  RUSSELL  LOWELL. 


Brotherly  Love 

""THE  Rabbi  Judah,  so  the  scribes  relate, 
*     Sat  with  his  brethren  once  in  a  warm  debate 
About  those  things  which  each  considered  best 
To  bring  to  earth  immunity  and  rest. 
Then  said   the  one  requested  to  begin: 
"Rest  comes  from  wealth,  if  there  be  peace  within." 

173 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  second  said:  "It  springs  from  honest  fame, 
And  having  all  men  magnify  your  name." 
The  third  said:  "Rest  is  being  truly  great, 
Coupled  with  power  to  rule  some  mighty  state." 
The  fourth  said:  "Such  a  rest  as  we  presage 
Reach  men  in  only  the  extremest  age, 
When  wealth  and  power  and  fame  unite  to  go 
To  children — and  unto  their  children  flow." 

The   fifth   said:   "All   these  various   things   are  vain; 
Rest  comes  to  those  who  all  the  law  maintain." 
Then  said  the  Rabbi  Judah,  grave  and  old, 
The  tallest  of  the  group  with  him  enrolled: 
"You  all  speak  wisely,  but  no  rest  is  deep 
To  him  who  the  traditions  fails  to  keep." 

Now  spoke  a  fairhaired  boy  up  from  the  grass — 
A  boy  of  twelve,  who  heard  these  words  repass, 
And  dropped  the  lilies  from  his  slender  hands; 
"Nay,  father;  none  among  you  understands. 
True  rest  he  only  finds  who  evermore 
Looks  not  behind,  but  to  the  things  before; 
Who,  scorning  fame  and  power  and  home  and  pelf, 
Loveth   his  brother  as  he  loves  himself." 

ATTRIBUTED  TO  THOMAS  BAILEY  ALDRICH. 


God's  Messengers 

Rabbon  Gamaliel  said :  "Make  His  will  thy  will,  .  .  . 
subvert  thy  will  to  His  will." — Aboth  2,  4 

T  ASKED  the  wind,  "Where  hast  thou  been 
•*•     Since  last  thy  voice  I  heard, 
Since  last  the  quivering  of  thy  wings 

The  leafy  branches  stirred, 
And  freighted  from  its  moss-clad  home 

Each  gentle  nestling  bird? 

174 


TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

"Ah,  wherefore  didst  them  swell  the  storm 
When  good  ships  went  to  sea; 

And  why  was  bent  the  tall  stout  mast — 
The  cordage   rent  by  thee; 

And  why,  when  shattered  bark  went  down, 
Thy  shout  of  victory?" 

"If  o'er  the  ocean  I  have  swept 
And  lashed  its  waves  to  heaven, 

While  high  before  me  on  the  surge 
The  hapless  bark  was  driven, 

And   loud   and   fearful   rose  the  cry 
Of  men  from  warm  life  riven, 

"I  did  His  bidding  who  doth  hold, 

In  His  all-powered  hand, 
The  whirlwind  that  hath  swept  in  might 

O'er  ocean  wave  and  land  ; 
I  questioned  not  why  such  things  were — 

Can  mortal  understand?" 


Do  thou  His  bidding — question  not 
Nor  cower  like  frightened   dove; 

Thou  art  the  messenger  of  God, 
Sent  from  the  heights  above. 

Know  thou  art  by  the  Father  bid, 
Th^  God — and  God  is  Love. 

MRS.  A.  R.  LEVY. 
Ben  Karshook's  Wisdom 


"VY7OULD  a  man  'scape  the  rod?" 
™     Rabbi  Ben  Karshook  saith, 

"See  that  he  turn  to  God 
The  day  before  his  death." 

175 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Ay,  could  a  man  inquire 
When  it  shall  come!"  I  say. 

The  Rabbi's  eye  shoots  fire — 
"Then  let  him  turn  today!" 

II 

Quoth  a  young  Sadducee; 

"Reader  of  many  rolls, 
Is  it  so  certain  we 

Have,  as  they  tell  us,  souls?" 

"Son,  there  is  no  reply!" 

The  Rabbi  bit  his  beard: 
Certain,  a  soul  have  / — 

We  may  have  none,"  he  sneered. 

Thus  Karshook,  the  Hiram's-Hammer, 
The  Right-hand  Temple-column, 

Taught  babes  in  grace  their  grammar, 
And  struck  the  simple,  solemn. 

ROBERT  BROWNING. 


The  Vision  of  Huna 

PHE  sun  had  set  upon  Jerusalem, 
A    And  scattered  rosy  circles  round  the  mount, 
Whereon  the  ruins  of  the  Temple  lay. 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  a  crumbling  wall 
Stood  Rabbi  Huna.     His  mind  was  sad ; 
For  on  this  spot,  not  many  years  before, 
The  holy  Temple  shone  to  all  the  earth, 
And  now  was  changed,  alas!  and  desolate. 

"Oh,  how  I  love  thee,  my  Jerusalem." 

So  sighed  the  rabbi,  as  he  sank  to  rest, 

"Oh,  how  I  love  thee,  tho'  upon  thy  neck 

With  crushing  force  the  conqueror's  foot  is  pressed. 

The  last  rapt  strains  of  the  prophetic  lyre 

176 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

I  seem  to  hear  across  thy  sloping  hills. 
Bright  visions  of  the  glory  thrill  me  yet, 
When  in  thy  prophet's  words  in  bridal  robe 
Thou  wast  betrothed  unto   Israel's  God; 
And  now — ."     The  rabbi  faltered  as  he  thought, 
Then  sighing  fell  into  a  restless  sleep. 

Strange  fancies  came  to  Huna  as  he  slept. 

Again  he  trod  the  Temple's  sacred  courts, 

But  there  no  altar  dripped  with  streaming  gore; 

No  groans  of  sacrificial  sheep  were  heard, 

No  swelling  chant,  no  pomp  of  liturgy, 

No  loudly  spoken  prayer,  no  mumbling  lips, 

No  smiting  of  the  breast,  no  postures  vain; 

A  reverent  throng  with  every  impulse  bent 

To  worship  God   in  simple   brotherhood. 

They  had,  indeed,  their  holy  litanies, 

Which  not  in  book  or  scroll  alone  were  writ; 

An  open  hand,  a  humble  heart  and  mind, 

An  overflowing  fount  of  love  and  truth, 

With  aspirations  for  the  beautiful, 

The  true,  the  good,  the  pure. 

The  rabbi  wakes. 

Dead  sounds  of  tumult  rouse  him  from  his  sleep, 
A  sprawling  band  of  Roman  soldiery, 
With  cries  of  triumph,  track  him  to  the  spot. 
His  helpless  form  the  savage  spears  soon  pierced, 
And  with  "Shema  Yisroel!"  Huna  dies. 
Upon  his  face  there  rests  a  placid  smile, 
As  if  he  trod  the  New  Jerusalem. 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 


Rabbi  Ben  Hissar 

O  ABBI  BEN  HISSAR  rode  one  day 
•^  Beyond  the  city  gates.     His  way 
Lay  toward  a  spot  where  his  own  hand 
Had  buried  deep  within  the  sand 

177 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  treasure  vast  of  gems  and  gold 

He  dared  not  trust  to  man  to  hold. 

, 

But  riding  in  the  falling  light, 
A  pallid   figure  met   his  sight — 
An  awful  shape — he  knew  full  well 
'Twas  the  great  Angel  Azrael. 
The  dreadful  presence  froze  his  breath; 
He  waited  tremblingly  for  death. 

"Fear  not,"  the  Angel  said,  "I  bear 
A  message.     Rabbi   Ben-Hissar, 
One  thing  the  Lord  hath  asked  of  thee 
To  prove  thy  love  and  loyalty. 
Therefore  now  I  am  come  to  bring 
Thy  rarest  jewel  to  thy  King." 

Rabbi  Ben-Hissar  bowed  his  head, 
"All  that  I  have  is  his!"  he  said. 
The  angel  vanished.     All  that  day 
He  rode  upon  his  lonely  way 
Wondering  much  what  precious  stone 
God  would  have  chosen  for  his  own. 
But  when  he  reached  the  spot  he  found 
No  other  hand  had  touched  the  ground. 

Rabbi  Ben-Hissar  looked  and  sighed 
"It  was  a  dream!"  he  sadly  cried. 
"I  thought  that  God  would  deign  to  take 
Of  my  poor  store  for  his  dear  sake. 
But  'twas  a  dream!     My  brightest  gem 
Would  have  no  luster  meet  for  him !" 

Slowly  he  turned  and  took  his  way 
Back  to  the  vale  where  the  city  lay. 
The  path  was  long,  but  when  he  came 
Unto   the  street  which  bore  his  name 
He  saw  his  house  stand  dark  and  drear, 
No  voice  of  welcome,  none  of  cheer. 

178 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

He  entered  and  saw  what  the  Lord  had  done. 

Lo!     Death  had  stricken  his  only  son! 

Clay  he  lay,  in  the  darkened  hall, 

On  the  stolid  bier,  with  the  funeral  pall. 

The  pale  death-angel  Azrael 

Had  chosen  a  jewel  that  pleased  him  well. 

Rabbi  Ben-Hissar  bent  his  head. 

"I  thank  thee,  Lord,"  was  all  he  said. 

ANONYMOUS. 


The  Messenger 

D  ABBI  BEN  JOSEF,  old  and  blind, 

Pressed  by  the  crowd  before,  behind, 
Passed  through  the  market  place  one  day, 
Seeking  with   weary  feet  his  way. 
The  city's  traffic  loud  confused 
His  senses,  to   retirement  used; 
The  voice  of  them  that  bought  and  sold, 
With  clink  of  silver  piece  and  gold. 

"Jehovah,"  cried  he,  jostled  sore, 
Fearing  to  fall  and  rise  no  more, 
"Thine  angel  send  to  guide  my  feet, 
And  part  the  ways  where  danger  meet." 
Just  then  a  beggar,  as  he  passed, 
A  glance  of  pity  on  him  cast, 
And,  seeing  so  his  bitter  need, 
Stretched  forth  his  hand  his  steps  to  lead. 

"Not  so,"  Ben  Josef  cried,  "I  wait 
A  guide  sent  from  Jehovah's  gate." 
The  beggar  left,  thus  rudely  spurned 
Where  gratitude  he  should  have  earned. 
As  day  wore  on  the  hubbub  rose, 
Louder  and  harsher  to  its  close, 
The  old  man,  weary,  sought  in  vain 
An  exit  from  the  crowd  to  gain. 

179 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Jostled  at  every  turn  his  feet 
Stumbled  upon  the  ill-paved  street; 
Once  more  he  cried,  ''Jehovah,  where 
The  answer  to  thy  servant's  prayer? 
No  angel,  swift-winged,  from  thy  throne, 
Has  hither  for  the  helping  flown." 
Then  came  a  whisper,  clear  and  low,    f 
"My  messenger  thou  didst  not  know. 

"For  in  a  beggar's  humble  guise 
His  outstretched  hand  thou  didst  despise, 
Nor  cared  beneath  his  rags  to  find 
The  heart  that  made  his  action  kind. 
See  now  that  thou  the  lesson  learn, 
Lest  he  whose  face  thou  canst  not  see 
Should  prove  a  messenger  from  Me." 

O.  B.  MERRILL. 


The  Forgotten  Rabbi 
("His   memory   for  a  blessing!'1) 

DABBI   BEN   SHALOM'S   wisdom  none  but  his 

scholars  know, 
(High   let   his   spirit   journey,    e'en    as   his   flesh   lies 

low!) 
He,  ere  he  spake  the  "Shema,"  prayed  that  his  fame 

might  cease: — 
"How  shall  I  give  you  blessing  if  you  begrudge  me 

peace?" 

Rabbi  Ben  Shalom's  teaching  clings  to  his  scholars 
still, 

Oft  to  his  school  came,  fasting,  those  who  had 
dreamed  of  ill: 

God  in  such  dreams  had  spoken — how  could  they  an- 
swer best? 

"Laugh  at  the  fear,"  said  Rabbi.  "God  has  a  right 
to  jest!" 

1 80 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

Rabbi  Ben  Shalom's  kindred  long  in  his  ear  deplored 
Alms   they  had   spent   to   nourish   one   with   a  secret 

hoard ; 

Who  of  their  daily  table — robber  of  God! — had  taste: 
"Have  I  not  heard,"  said  Rabbi,  "God  has  enough  to 

waste  ?" 

Rabbi  Ben  Shalom,  silent,  sat  with  a  dead  man's  son. 

"I,  at  his  grave,  O  Rabbi,  knew  what  my  sins  had 
done! 

Great  but  for  me,  how  humbled.  .  .  .  Can  I  appease 
the  dead  ?" 

"Cherish  his  seed,"  said  Rabbi,  "Strive  to  be  great  in- 
stead!" 

Rabbi  Ben  Shalom's  coming  mirth  unto  mirth  could 

bring — 
Fill  him  the  cup,  he'd  drain  it;  strike  on  the  harp, 

he'd  sing! 
Blind   seemed   his  joy  to   many,   when   on   his  brows 

death  sat — 
Only  the  few  knew  better;  knew  he  rejoiced — in  that! 

Thus  have  Ben  Shalom's  scholars  dug  him  a  lowly 

bed— 

(How  can  the  soul  and  body  ever  a  like  path  tread?) 
Thus  when   in   Shool   they  slight  him,   say   that   "his 

fame  should  cease," 

Whoso  gainsays  their  folly  grudges  his  master  peace! 

G.  M.  H. 


The  Two  Rabbins 

'"THE  Rabbi  Nathan,  twoscore  years  and  ten, 
*"    Walked   blameless   through   the   evil   world,    and 

then, 

Just  as  the  almond  blossomed  in  his  hair, 
Met  a  temptation  all  too  strong  to  bear, 

ill 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  miserably  sinned.     So,  adding  not 
Falsehood  to  guilt,  he  left  his  seat,  and  taught 
No  more  among  the  elders,  but  went  out 
From  the  great  congregation  girt  about 
With  sackcloth,  and  with  ashes  on  his  head, 
Making  his  gray  locks  grayer.     Long  he  prayed, 
Smiting  his  breast;  then,  as  the  Book  he  laid 
Open  before  him  for  the  Bath-Col's  choice, 
Pausing  to  hear  that  Daughter  of  a  Voice 
Behold  the  royal  preacher's  words:  "A  friend 
Loveth  at  all  times,  yea,  unto  the  end; 
And   for  the  evil  day  thy  brother  lives." 
Marvelling,  he  said :  "It  is  the  Lord  who  gives 
Counsel  in  need.    At  Ecbatana  dwells 
Rabbi  Ben  Isaac,  who  all  men  excels 
In  righteousness  and  wisdom,   as  the  trees 
Of  Lebanon  the  small  weeds  that  the  bees 
Bow  with  their  weight.     I  will  arise  and  lay 
My  sins  before  him." 

And  he  went  his  way 
Barefooted,  fasting  long  with  many  prayers; 
But  even  as  one  who,  followed  unawares, 
Suddenly  in  the  darkness  feels  a  hand 
Thrill  with  its  touch  his  own,  and  his  cheek  fanned 
By  odors  subtly  sweet,  and  whispers  near 
Of  words  he  loathes,  yet  cannot  choose  but  hear, 
So,  while   the  Rabbi  journeyed,   chanting  low 
The  wail  of  David's  penitential  woe, 
Before  him  still  the  old  temptation  came, 
And  mocked  him  with  the  motion  and  the  shame 
Of  such  desires  that,  shuddering,  he  abhorred 
Himself;  and,  crying  mightily  to  the  Lord 
To  free  his  soul  and  cast  the  demon  out, 
Smote  with  his  staff  the  blankness  round  about. 

At  length,  in  the  low  light  of  a  spent  day, 

The  towers  of  Ecbatana  far  away 

Rose  on  the  desert's  rim;  and  Nathan,  faint 

182 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

And  footsore,  pausing  where  for  some  dead  saint 
The  faith  of  Islam  reared  a  domed  tomb, 
Saw  some  one  kneeling  in  the  shadow,  whom 
He  greeted  kindly:  "May  the  Holy  One 
Answer  thy  prayers,  O  stranger!"     Whereupon 
The  shape  stood  up  with  a  loud  cry,  and  then, 
Clasped  in  each  other's  arms,  the  two  gray  men 
Wept,  praising  Him  whose  gracious  providence 
Made  their  paths  one.     But  straightway,  as  the  sense 
Of  his  transgression  smote  him,  Nathan  tore 
Himself  away:  "O  friend  beloved,  no  more 
Worthy  am  I  to  touch  thee,  for  I  came, 
Foul  from  my  sins,  to  tell  thee  all  my  shame. 
Haply  thy  prayers,  since  nought  availeth  mine, 
May  purge  my  soul,  and  make  it  white  like  thine. 
Pity  me,  O  Ben  Isaac,  I  have  sinned !" 

Awestruck  Ben   Isaac  stood.     The  desert  wind 

Blew  his  long  mantle  backward   laying   bare 

The  mournful  secret  of  his  shirt  of  hair. 

"I  too,  O  friend,  if  not  in  act,"  he  said, 

"In  thought  have  verily  sinned.     Hast  thou  not  read 

'Better  the  eye  should  see  than  that  desire 

Should  wander'?     Burning  with  a  hidden  fire 

That  tears  and  prayers  quench  not,  I  come  to  thee 

For  pity  and  for  help,  as  thou  to  me. 

Pray  for  me,  O  my  friend!"     But  Nathan  cried, 

"Pray  thou  for  me,  Ben  Isaac!" 

Side  by  side 

In  the  low  sunshine  by  the  turban  stone 
They  knelt;  each  made  his  brother's  woe  his  own, 
Forgetting,  in  the  agony  and  stress 
Of  pitying  love,  his  claim  of  selfishness; 
Peace,   for  his  friend  besought,  his  own  became; 
His  prayers  were   answered   in   another's  name; 
And,  when  at  last  they  rose  up  to  embrace, 
Each  saw  God's  pardon  in  his  brother's  face! 

183 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Long  after,  when  his  headstone  gathered  moss, 
Traced  on  the  targum-marge  of  Onkelos 
In  Rabbi  Nathan's  hand  these  words  were  read: 
"Hope  not  the  cure  of  sin  till  Self  is  dead; 
Forget  it  in  love's  service,  and  the  debt 
Thou  canst  not  pay  the  angels  shall  forget; 
Heaven's  gate  is  shut  to  him  who  comes  alone ; 
Save  thou  a  soul,  and  it  shall  save  thy  own!" 

JOHN   GREENLEAF  WHITTIER. 


The  Two  Rabbis 

THERE  stood  upon  Moriah's  mount, 
Two  aged  men  with  hoary  hair; 
One   glanced   around  with  smiling  brow, 
The  other  wept  in  deep  despair. 

"Jerusalem,  Oh !  Jerusalem ! 

Land  of  my  love,"  the  weeper  cried; 
"Thy  scattered  sons  in  exile  weep, 

And  alien  are  thy  state  and  pride. 

"Fierce  jackals  'mid  thy  ruins  howl; 

The  prowling  lion  seeks  his  prey 
On  the  spot  where  once  thy  temple  stood; 

And  thy  brave  children, — Where  are  they? 

"With  weary  feet,  and  aching  heart, 
Scattered,  despised,  a  fallen  race, 

They  wander  far  in  alien  lands, 
And  seek  in  vain  a  resting  place. 

"And  then  how  canst  thou  smile,  to  see 

Our  hopes,  our  glory  perish  all? 
How  canst  thou  gaze  with  joyous  glance 

Upon  our  temple's  ruined  wall?" 

184 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

"I  smile,"  the  other  said,  "because, 
In  all  the  Eternal's  power  I  see, 

And  hope  springs  up  within  my  heart, 
Even  from  our  depths  of  misery. 

"For  surely  as  the  Almighty  hand 

Destroyed  our  land  for  guilt  and  crime, 

So  surely  will  he  raise  us  up 
To  joy,  at  his  appointed  time. 

"Hath  he  not  said  that  Israel's  sons 
Shall  once  again  be  free  and  great? 

Hath  he  not  said,  in  Zion's  halls 
Shall  once  again  be  kingly  state? 

"A  great  and  glorious  destiny 
Will  yet  be  ours  in  future  years; 

And  thus  my  face  with  smiles  is  glad, 
While  thine  is  dewed  with  bitter  tears." 


MRS.  LEVITUS. 


At  Last 

Rabbi  Levi  let  his  thoughts  be  cast 
Upon  the  current  of  remembered  life, 
And  saw  the  faces  of  his  child  and  wife, 
So  fair  and  mystical,  it  well  might  seem 
As  if  he  saw  by  moonlight  in  a  dream 

What  he  had  seen  in  sunlight  in  the  past. 

Yet  at  remembered  sin  he  starts  to  see 
Remorse,  most  dreaded  angel  of  the  Lord, 
Flash  back  the  sunshine  from  his  awful  sword. 
His  wan  cheek  flushes  like  a  dying  brand ; 
"Take  back,  O  Angel,  in  thy  strong  right  hand 

This  sweet  but  cruel  gift  of  memory." 

185 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Not  so,"  the  angel  answered;  "thou  shalt  live, 
Love  and  remember  till  thy  work  is  done." 
And  thus  the  Rabbi  toiled,  and  did  not  shun 
To  look  upon  what  he  himself  had  wrought. 
For  years  he  freely  learned  and  freely  taught 

The  wisdom  that  his  own  mistakes  could  give. 

The  Rabbi  Levi,  when  his  head  was  white, 
Heard  a  soft  voice,  ''Henceforth  no  more  for  you 
Shall   memory  come  as  flame,   but  cooling  dew; 
"Take  thou  the  comfort  of  thy  heart's  release, 
For  with  thine  own  life  thou  shalt  be  at  peace." 

So,  smiling,  he  passed  out  into  the  light. 

ADELAIDE  G.  WATERS. 

The  Passing  of  Rabbi  Assi 

QUTWORN  by  studious  toil  and  age, 

^  The  Rabbi  Assi,  saintly  sage, 

Upon  his  humble  pallet  lay, 

Awaiting  death,  at  close  of  day. 

Silent  and  sad  amid  the  gloom 

Of  that  poor,  pathetic  room, 

Some  fond  disciple  hovered  near, 

Intent  his  parting  words  to  hear. 

The  mellow  light  of  sunset  spread 

A  glory  round  his  snow-white  head, 

And  as,  amazed,  they  saw  the  trace 

Of  tears  upon  his  pallid  face, 

One  came  and  knelt  beside  the  bed, 

Caressed  the  thin,  white  hand,  and  said: 

"Dear  Rabbi,  wherefore  weepest  thou? 

Let  no  sad  thoughts  disquiet  now 

The  peace  of  thy  departure  hence 

To  heavenly  rest  and  recompense. 

Thou  hast  been  pure  in  heart  and  mind, 

Meek,  modest,  patient,  gentle,  kind, 

Recall  with   gratitude   and   joy 

Thy  consecrated   life's  employ. 

1 86 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

Devoted  to  the  saered  law, 

Thou  didst  unselfishly  withdraw 

From  all  publicities;  and  when 

With  one  accord  thy  fellow-men 

Chose  thee  their  judge,  thou  didst  refuse 

All  worldly  service,  and  didst  choose 

To  live  sequestered  from  all  care, 

For  God,  in  study  and  in  prayer." 

"Cease,"  cried  the  Rabbi  in  distress, 
"Make  not  my  cup  of  bitterness 
More  bitter  with  the  shame  and  pain 
Of  praise  as  ignorant  as  vain. 
My  soul  is  sorrowful,  my  son, 
For  public  duties  left  undone. 
I  mourn  the  quest  of  truth  pursued 
In   disregard   of   brotherhood; 
The  narrow,  blind,  scholastic  zeal 
That  heeded  not  the  common  weal; 
The  subtle  selfishness  and  pride 
In  which  I  put  the  world  aside 
And  sought  an  individual  good 
In  self-complacent  solitude, 
Withheld  my  aid  and  stayed  my  hand 
From  truth   and  justice  in  the  land, 
And  weakly  failed  to  exercise 
The  law  in  which  I  would  be  wise. 

"Wherefore  with  tears,  I  plead  with  you, 
Dear  friends,  a  nobler  course  pursue, 
Beware  the  self-indulgent  mood 
Of   unconcern    for   public   good. 
Think  not  in  cloistered,  studious  ease 
Wisdom  to  win  or  God  to  please. 
For  wisdom  moulders  in  the  mind 
That  shuts  itself  from  human  kind, 
And   piety,   with   self-content, 
Becomes  a  barren  sentiment, 
The  bread  of  life  is  turned  to  stone 
For  him  who  hoards  it  as  his  own. 

187 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  see  betimes — what  late  I  saw — 
That  only  love  fulfills  the  law, 
In  loving  kindness  hear  and  heed 
The  plaintive  cries  of  human  need, 
Protect  the  weak  against  the  strong, 
Uphold  the  right  and  right  the  wrong. 
Assuage  life's  miseries  and  pains, 
Console  its  sorrows,  cleanse  its  stains; 
Count  worthy  of  all  toil  and  strife 
These  common  interests  of  life 
More  precious  than  the  richest  store 
Of  secular  or  sacred  lore — 
Your  mission  and  ambition  be 
God's  service  in  humanity." 

He  paused,  and,  rapt  in  silent  prayer, 

His  spirit  seemed  awhile  elsewhere, 

And  at  his  prayer  the  peace  was  given 

For  which  his  sorrowing  soul  had  striven ; 

At  eventide  the  light  had  come 

To  guide  him  through  the  darkness  home, 

Then  with  a  smile  of  sweet  surprise 

He  woke  and  lifted  up  his  eyes 

And  praised  the  Lord  with  trembling  voice, 

He  bade  his  weeping  friends  rejoice, 

And  said,   "Beloved,  let  me  hear 

Once  more  the  Shepherd-psalm  of  cheer." 

And  they  repeated,  soft  and  low, 

That  sweetest  song  that  mortals  know; 

And  then  in  accents  calm  and  grave 

His  benison  to  them  he  gave. 

"May  God  who  comforts  my  sad  heart 
And  bids  me  now  in  peace  depart, 
Bless,  guide  and  keep  you  evermore! 
Abundantly  on  you  outpour 
The  riches  of  his  truth  and  grace, 
Show  you  the  favor  of  His  face, 
Your  minds  and  hearts  with  ardor  fill 
To  know  and  do  His  holy  will. 

188 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

With  heavenly  wisdom  make  you  wise 
In  service  and  self-sacrifice, 
Give  you  rich  fruits  of  toil  and  tears, 
And — after  long  and  useful  years — 
The  blessedness  of  those  who  come 
With  sheaves  and  songs,  rejoicing,  home." 

The  Rabbi's  failing  strength  was  spent. 

In  silent  sorrow  o'er  him  bent 

With  bated  breath  the  faithful  few, 

And  heard  him  faintly  say,  "Adieu! 

The  night  grows  dark !  the  hour  is  late ! 

We  now,  dear  friends,  must  separate. 

A  thousand-fold  may  God  requite 

Your  love  and  care.     Good-by;  Good-night! 

And  peaceful  rest  till  break  of  day!" 

So  Rabbi  Assi  passed  away. 


Fact,  legend,  parable  of  old? 

What  matters — so  the  truth  be  told — 

Historic  or  fictitious  frame? 

The  Rabbi's  likeness  is  the  same. 

And  whosoever  hath  an  ear 

To  hear  his  counsel,  let  him  hear! 

EDWIN  POND  PARKER. 


The  Lent  Jewels 
A  Jewish  Apologue 

TN  schools  of  wisdom  all  the  day  was  spent; 

*  His  steps  at  eve  the  Rabbi  homeward  bent, 

With  homeward  thoughts,  which  dwelt  upon  the  wife 

And  two  fair  children  who  consoled  his  life. 

She,  meeting  at  the  threshold,  led  him  in 

And  with  these  words  preventing,  did  begin: 

"I,  greeting  ever  your  desired  return, 

Yet  greet  it  most  today;  for  since  this  morn 

189 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  have  been  much -perplexed  and  sorely  tried 
Upon  one  point,  which  you  shall  now  decide. 
Some  years  ago,  a  friend  unto  my  care 
Some  jewels  gave — rich,  precious  gems  they  were; 
But  having  given  them  in  my  charge,  this  friend 
Did   afterward  not  come  for  them,   nor  send. 
But  in  my  keeping  suffered  them  so  long, 
That  now  it  almost  seems  to  me  a  wrong 
That  he  should   suddenly  arrive   today, 
To  take  those  jewels,  which  he  left,  away. 
What  think  you?     Shall  I  freely  yield  them  back, 
And  with  no  murmuring?  so  henceforth  to  lack 
Those  gems  myself,  which  I  had  learned  to  see 
Almost  as  mine  for  ever,  mine  in  fee!" 

"What  question  can  be  here?  your  own  true  heart 

Must  needs  advise  you  of  the  only  part; 

That  may  be  claimed  again  which  was  but  lent, 

And  should  be  yielded  with   no  discontent; 

Nor  surely  can  we  find   in  this  a  wrong, 

That  it  was  left  us  to  enjoy  it  long." 

"Good   is  the  word,"   she   answered;   "may  we  now 

And  evermore  that  it  is  good  allow!" 

And,    rising,   to   an   inner   chamber  led, 

And  there  she  showed  him,  stretched  upon  one  bed, 

Two  children  pale,  and  he  the  jewels  knew, 

Which  God  had  lent  him,  and  resumed  anew. 

RICHARD  CHENEVIX  TRENCH. 


The  Loan 

(Midrash  Yalkut,  iii,  p.  165) 


Rabbi  Meir, 

A  black  cap  on  his  white  hair, 
And  him  before 

Unfurled  the  great  book  of  the  Law, 
Sat  in  the  school  and  taught. 

190 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

Many  a  winged  thought 

Flew   from   his  lips,    and   brought 

Fire  and  enlightenment 

Unto  the  scholars  bent 

Diligently  at  their  writing. 

And  all  the  while  he  was  inditing, 

His  soul  was  near  to  God 

Above  the  dull  earth  that  he  trod. 

And  as  the  lark  doth  sing 

High  up  and  quivering" 

In  the  blue,  on  heavenward  wing, 

But  ever  its  breast 

Keepeth   above   its  nest, 

And  singing  it  doth  not  roam 

Beyond   hearing  of   its  home, 

So  the  Rabbi,  however  high  he  soared 

In  his  teaching,  or  praying,  sung 

Close  to  the  ear  of  his  Lord, 

Yet  ever  above  his  home,  his  wife  and  young. 

Slowly  there  stole  the  gloom 

Of  evening  into  the  room, 

Then  he  rose  and  shut  the  book 

And   casting  about  a  look, 

Said,  with  a  wave 

Of  the  hand :  "God  gave 

The  light,  and  hath  taken  away, 

With  the  Lord  begun, 

With  the  Lord  run, 

With  the  Lord  done, 

Is  the  day." 

Then  his  way 

Homeward  cheerfully  he  took. 

In  the  little  house,  sedate, 

For  her  husband  did  await 

Beruriah.     And  for  her  lord 

She  had   laid   the  supper  on   the  board. 

And  a  lamp  was  lighted  up, 

By  which  he  might  sup. 

191 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

He  kissed  her  upon  the  brow, 

And  spake  to  her  gently:  "How 

Are  the  lads  today? 

Tell   me,   Beruriah,   pray." 

There  glittered  on  her  cheek 

Two  jewels,  ere  she  could  speak 

And  answer,  "They  are  well, 

Sit  you  and  eat  your  supper,  whilst  I  tell 

What  to  me  befell; 

And  assure  me  In  what  way 

You  think  it  had  been  best 

That  I  had  acted."     Thus  addressed, 

He  sat  him  at  his  meal, 

And  began  to  eat:  "Reveal 

Thy  case,"  he  said.     "Yet  tell  me,  I  pray, 

First — where   are  my  boys  today?" 

Then  suddenly  she  said, 

With  an  averted  head: 

"Many  years  are  flown 

Since  one  a  precious  loan 

Entrusted  to  my  care,  until  he  came 

That  treasure  to  reclaim." 

The  Rabbi  spoke:  "Of  old 

Tobit  confided  his  gold 

To  Raguel 

At  Ecbatane.     Well, 

What  further? — But  say, 

Where  are  my  lads,  I  pray  ?" 

"For  many  years  that  store 

I  jealously  watched  o'er, 

Do  you  think,  my  lord,  that  loan 

In  fourteen  years  would  become  my  own?" 

Then,  with  a  glance  of  blame, 

He  answered,  as  he  shook  his  head: 

"For  shame. 

Wife  of  my  bosom!     It  were  not  thine 
Should  forty  years  upon  thee  shine, 
And  the  owner  not  return 

192 


TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

To  demand  it.     Beruriah,  learn 
Not  to  covet." 

Then  he  paused,  and  said, 
Moving  the  lamp:  "Thine  eyes  are  red, 
Beruriah:  wherefore?" 

But  she  broke 

In  on  his  question,  and  thus  spoke: 
"To-day  there   came 
To  the  door  the  same 
One  who  had  lent  the  treasure, 
And  he  said,  'It  is  my  pleasure 
To  have  the  loan    restored.' 
What  do  you  think,  my  lord? 
Should  I  have  withheld  it,  Meir?" 
At  his  wife  with  astonished  stare 
Looked  the  Rabbi.     "O  my  wife! 
Light  of  my  eyes,  and  glory  of  my  life ! 
Why  ask  this  question?" 

Then  he  said, 

As  his  eyes  wandered  towards  the  bed: 
"Why  is  the  sheet, 
Usually  smooth  and  neat, 
Lifted  into  many  a  fold  and  pleat?" 
But  she  asked:  "Should  I  repine 
At  surrendering  what  was  not  mine 
To  him  who  claimed  it?" 

"It  was  a  trust, 

Wife  of  my  bosom !  What  do  you  ask  ? — Repine 
What!  do  you  lust 
To  keep  what  is  not  thine?" 
And  once   again : 
"Where  are  my  boys?" 

She  took  him  by  the  hand, 
Whilst  o'er  her  features  ran  a  thrill  of  pain, 
And  brought  him  to  the  bed,  and  bid  him  stand 
There,  as  she  touched  the  sheet,  and  said : 

193 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"The  Lord  who  gave  hath  taken.     They  are  dead." 

Softly  she  raised 

The  sheet;  and  with  awe 

The  Rabbi  his  children  saw 

In   the   soft    twilight 

Lying  silent,  and  still  and  white  ; 

And  he  said,  "Praised 

Be  the  Name  of  the  Lord. 

My  wife  and  I  are  content 

That  the  goodly  loan  to  us  lent 

Should  be  restored." 

SABINE  BARING-GOULD. 


The  Two  Friends 
A  Rabbinical  Tale 

Rabbi  Nathan  had  rejoiced  to  spend 
A  social  se'nnight  with  his  ancient  friend, 
The  Rabbi  Isaac.     In  devout  accord 
They  read  the  Sacred  Books,  and  praised  the  Lord 
For  all  His  mercies  unto  them  and  theirs; 
Until,  one  day,  remembering  some  affairs 
That  asked  his  instant  presence,   Nathan  said, 
"Too  long,  my  friend  (so  close  my  soul  is  wed 
To  thy  soul),  has  the  silent  lapse  of  days 
Kept  me  thy  guest;  although  with  prayer  and  praise 
The  hours  were  fragrant.     Now  the  time  has  come 
When,  all-reluctant,  I  must  hasten  home, 
To  other  duties  than  the  dear  delights 
To  which  thy  gracious  friendship  still  invites." 
"Well,  be  it  so,  if  so  it  needs  must  be." 
The  host  made  answer;  "be  it  far  from  me 
To  hinder  thee  in  aught  that  Duty  lays 
Upon  thy  pious  conscience.     Go  thy  ways 
And  take  my  blessing! — but,  O  friend  of  mine, 
In    His  name,   whom   thou  servest,   give  me   thine!" 
"Already,"  Nathan  answered,   "had  I  sought 
Some  fitting  words  to  bless  thee;  and  I  thought 

194 


TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

About  the  palm-tree,   giving  fruit  and  shade; 
And  in  my  grateful  heart,  O  friend,  I  prayed 
That  Heaven  be  pleased  to  make  thee  even  so! 
O  idle  benediction!     Well  I   know 
Thou   lackest   nothing   of   all   perfect    fruit 
Of  generous  souls,  or  pious  deeds  that  suit 
With  pious  worship.     Well  I  know  thine  alms 
In  hospitable  shade  exceed  the  palm's; 
And,  for  rich  fruitage,  can  that  noble  tree, 
With  all  her  opulence,  compare  with  thee? 
Since,  then,  O  friend,  I  cannot  wish  thee  more, 
In   thine  own  person,   than   thy  present  store 
Of  Heaven's  best  bounty,  I  will  even  pray 
That,  as  the  palm-tree,  though  it  pass  away, 
By  others,  of  its  seed,  is  still  replaced, 
So  thine  own  stock  may  evermore  be  graced 
With    happy   sons   and    daughters,    who    shall    be, 
In  wisdom,  strength,  and  goodness,  like  to  thee!" 

JOHN  GODFREY  SAXE. 


The  Rabbi's  Vision 

DEN  LEVI  sat  with  his  books  alone 
At  the  midnight's  solemn  chime, 
And    the   full-orb'd   moon    through   his   lattice   shone 

In  the  power  of  autumn's  prime; 
It  shone  on  the  darkly  learned  page, 
And  the  snowy  locks  of  the  lonely  Sage — 
But  he  sat  and  mark'd  not  its  silvery  light, 
For  his  thoughts  were  on  other  themes  that   night. 

Wide   was  the   learn'd    Ben   Levi's    fame 

As  the  wanderings  of  his  race — 
And  many  a  seeker  of  wisdom  came 

To  his  lonely  dwelling  place; 
For  he  made  the  darkest  symbols  clear, 
Of  ancient  doctor  and  early  seer. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yet  a  question  ask'd  by  a  simple  maid 
He  met  that  eve  in  the  linden's  shade, 
Had  puzzled  his  matchless  wisdom  more 
Than  all  that  ever  it  found  before; 
And  this  it  was:  "What  path  of  crime 
Is  darkest  traced  on  the  map  of  time?" 

The  Rabbi  ponder'd  the  question  o'er 

With  a  calm  and  thoughtful  mind, 
And  search'd  the  depths  of  the  Talmud's  lore — 

But  an  answer  he  could  not  find ; — 
Yet  a  maiden's  question  might  not  foil 
A  Sage  inured  to  Wisdom's  toil — 
And  he  leant  on  his  hand  his  aged  brow, 
For  the  current  of  thought  ran  deeper  now: 

When,  lo!  by  his  side,  Ben  Levi  heard 

A  sound  of  rustling  leaves — 
But  not  like  those  of  the  forest  stirr'd 

By  the  breath  of  summer  eves, 
That  comes  through  the  dim  and  dewy  shades 
As  the  golden  glow  of  the  sunset  fades, 
Bringing  the  odors  of  hidden  flowers 
That  bloom  in  the  greenwood's  secret  bowers — 

But  the  leaves  of  a  luckless  volume  turn'd 

By  the   swift  impatient  hand 
Of  student  young,  or  of  critics  learn'd 

In  the  lore  of  the  Muse's  land. 
The  Rabbi  raised  his  wondering  eyes — 
Well  might  he  gaze  in  mute  surprise — 
For,  open'd  wide  to  the  moon's  cold  ray, 
A  ponderous  volume  before  him  lay! 

Old  were  the  characters,  and  black 
As  the  soil  when   sear'd  by  the  lightning's  track, 
But  broad  and  full  that  the  dimmest  sight 
Might  clearly  read  by  the  moon's  pale  light; 

196 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

But,  oh !  'twas  a  dark  and  fearful  theme 

That  fill'd   each  crowded  page — 
The  gather'd  records  of  human  crime 

From  every  race  and  age. 

All  the  blood  that  the  Earth  had  seen 
Since  Abel's  crimson'd  her  early  green; 
All  the  vice  that  had  poison'd  life 
Since  Lamech  wedded  his  second  wife; 
All  the  pride  that  had  mock'd  the  skies 

Since   they   built   old    Babel's   wall; — 
But  the  page  of  the  broken  promises 

Was  the  saddest  page  of  all. 

It  seem'd  a  fearful  mirror  made 
For  friendship  ruin'd  and  love  betray'd, 
For  toil  that  had  lost  its  fruitless  pain, 
And  hope  that  had  spent  its  strength  in  vain; 
For  all  who  sorrow'd  o'er  broken  faith — 
Whate'er  their  fortunes  in  life  or  death — 
Were  there  in  one  ghastly  pageant  blent 
With  the  broken   reeds  on  which   they   leant. 

And  foul  was  many  a  noble  crest 

By  the   Nations  deem'd   unstain'd — 
And,   deep  on  brows  which  the  Church  had  bless'd, 

The  traitor's  brand  remain'd. 

For  vows  in  that  blacken 'd  page  had  place 

Which  time  had  ne'er  reveal'd 
And  many  a  faded  and  furrow'd  face 

By  death  and  dust  conceal'd — 
Eyes  that  had  worn  their  light  away 
In  weary  watching  from  day  to  day, 
And  tuneful  voices  which  Time  had  heard 
Grow  faint  with  the   sickness  of  hope   deferr'd. 

The  Rabbi  read  till  his  eye  grew  dim 

With  the  mist  of  gathering  tears, 
For  it  woke  in  his  soul  the  frozen  stream 

Which  had  slumber'd  there  for  years 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  he  turn'd  to  clear  his  clouded  sight, 

From  that  blacken'd   page   to  the  sky  so  bright — 

And  joy'd  that  the   folly,   crime,   and  care 

Of  Earth  could  not  cast  one  shadow  there. 

For   the   stars  had   still   the  same  bright   look 

That  in  Eden's  youth  they  wore; — 
And  he  turn'd  again  to  the  ponderous  book — 

But  the  book  he  found  no  more; 
Nothing  was  there  but  the  moon's  pale  beam — 
And  whence  that  volume  of  wonder  came, 
Or  how  it  pass'd   from  his  troubled  view, 
The  Sage  might  marvel,  but  never  knew! 

Long  and  well  had  Ben  Levi  preach'd 

Against  the  sins  of  men — 
And  many  a  sinner  his  sermon  reach'd 

By  the  power  of  page  and  pen; 
Childhood's  folly,  and  manhood's  vice, 
And  age  with  its  boundless  avarice, 
All  were  rebuk'd,  and  little  ruth 
Had  he  for  the  venial  sins  of  youth. 

But  never  again  to  mortal  ears 

Did   the  Rabbi  preach   of  aught 
But  the  mystery  of  trust  and  tears 

By   that  wondrous   volume   taught. 
And   if  he   met  a  youth   and   maid 

Beneath    the   linden   boughs — 
Oh,  never  a  word  Ben  Levi  said, 

But— "Beware  of  Broken  Vows!" 

FRANCES   BROWNE. 


The  Emperor  and  the  Rabbi 

D  Rabbi,  what  tales  dost  thou  pour  in  mine  ear, 
What  visions  of  glory,  what  phantoms  of  fear, 
Of  a  God,  all  the  gods  of  the  Roman  above, 
A  mightier  than  Mars,  a  more  ancient  than  Jove? 

198 


TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

"Let  me  see  but  His  splendors,  I  then  shall  believe. 
'Tis  the  senses  alone  that  can  never  deceive. 
But  show  me  your  Idol,  if  earth  be  His  shrine, 
And  your  Israelite  God  shall,  old  dreamer,  be  mine!" 

It  was  Trajan  that  spoke,  the  stoical  sneer 
Still  played  on  his  features  sublime  and  severe, 
For,  round  the  wild  world  that  stooped  to  his  throne, 
He  knew  but  one  god,  and  himself  was  that  one! 

"The  God  of  our  forefathers,"  low  bowed  the  Seer, 
"Is  unseen  by  the  eye,  is  unheard  by  the  ear; 
He  is  Spirit  and  knows  not  the  body's  dark  chain; 
Immortal  His  nature,  eternal  His  reign. 

"He  is  seen  in  His  power,  when  the  storm  is  abroad ; 
In  His  justice,  when  guilt  by  His  thunders  is  awed; 
In  His  mercy,  when  mountain  and  valley  and  plain 
Rejoice  in  His  sunshine,  and  smile  in  His  rain." 

"Those  are  dreams,"  said  the  monarch,  "wild  fancies 

of  old ; 

But  what  God  can  I  worship,  when  one  I  behold? 
Can  I  kneel  to  the  lightning,  or  bow  to  the  wind? 
Can  I  worship  the  shape,  that  but  lives  in  the  mind?" 

"I   shall   show  thee   the   herald   He  sends   from   His 

throne." 

Through  the  halls  of  the  palace  the  Rabbi  led  on, 
Till  above  them  was  spread  but  the  sky's  sapphire 

dome, 
And,  like  surges  of  splendor,  beneath  them  lay  Rome. 

And  towering  o'er  all,  in  the  glow  of  the  hour, 
The  Capitol  shone,  earth's  high  centre  of  power; 
A  thousand  years  glorious,  yet  still  in  its  prime; 
A  thousand  years  more,  to  be  conquered  of  Time. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

But  the  West  was  now  purple,  the  eve  was  begun; 
Like  a  monarch  at  rest,  on  the  hills  lay  the  sun; 
Above  him  the  clouds  their  rich  canopy  rolled, 
With  pillars  of  diamond,  and  curtains  of  gold. 

The  Rabbi's  proud  gesture  was  turned  to  the  orb: 
"O  King!  let  that  glory  thy  worship  absorb!" 
"What!  worship  that  sun,  and  be  blind  by  the  gaze?" 
No  eye  but  the  eagle's  could  look  on  that  blaze." 

"Ho!     Emperor  of  earth,  if  it  dazzles  thine  eye 
To  look  on  that  orb,  as  it  sinks  from  the  sky," 
Cried  the  Rabbi,  "what  mortal  could  dare  to  see 
The  Sovereign  of  him,  and  the  Sovereign  of  thee!" 

GEORGE  CROLY. 


He  of  Prayer 

LJIDDEN  in  the  ancient  Talmud, 
•*•  •*•       Slumbereth  this  legend  old, 
By  the  stately  Jewish  Rabbis 

To  the  listening  people  told; 
Jacob's  ladder  still   is  standing, 

And  the  angels  o'er  it  go 
Up  and  down  from  earth  to  heaven, 

Ever  passing  to  and  fro; 
Messengers  from  great  Jehovah 

Bringing  mortals  good  or  ill, 
Just  as  we  from  laws  unchanging, 

Good  or  evil  shall  distill. 
He  of  Death,  with  brow  majestic, 

Cometh  wreathed  with  asphodel; 
He  of  life,  with  smile  seraphic, 

Softly  saying,  "All  is  well." 
He  of  Pain,  with  purple  pinions, 

He  of  Joy,  all  shining  bright; 
He  of  Hope,  with  wings  cerulean; 

He  of  innocence,  all  white. 

200 


TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 

And  the  rustling  of  their  pinions, 

With  the  falling  of  their  feet, 
Turneth  into  notes  of  music, 

Grand    and   solemn,    soft   and   sweet. 
One — and  only  one — stands  ever 

On   the  ladder's   topmost   round, 
Just  outside  the   gate   celestial, 

List'ning  as  to  catch  some  sound; 
But  it  is  not  angel  music 

Unto  which  he  bends  his  ear, 
'Tis  the  passing  prayer  of  mortals 

That  he  patient  waits  to  hear. 
By  him  messengers  are  flitting, 

But  he  ever  standeth  there, 
For  he  is  the  Great  Sandalphon 

Who  is  gathering  every  prayer. 
In  his  hands  they  turn  to  garlands, 

From  whose  flowers  a  fragrance  floats 
Through   the   open   gates   celestial, 

Mingled  with  the  angels'  notes. 
For  outside  the  golden  portal 

Of  that  city  of  the  skies 
All  the  earthly  dross  and  passion 

Of  the  prayer  of  mortal  dies. 
'Tis  the  heavenly  essence  only 

That  can  find  an  entrance  there, 
Turned  into  the  scent  of  flowers 

By  Sandalphon — Him  of  Prayer. 

J'  F. 

The  Angel  of  Truth 

Based  upon  a  passage  of  the  Midrash,  Bereshit  Rabba, 
Chapter  VIII. 

/"\NCE  th'  omnipotent  Maker  of  world  without  end 
^  Bade  the  hosts  of  His  angels  in  council  attend; 
And  thus  in  His  wisdom  supernal  He  spake: 
"In  the  confines  of  earth  in  our  image  we'll  make 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Man,  whose  spirit  divine  shall  from  Heav'n  proclaim 

him, 
Yet  as  human  we  Adam,  the  earth-born,  will  name 

him." 

Then  the  band  of  bright  beings,  in  potent  dissent, 
Into  two  hostile  factions  asunder  were  rent. 

"Create  him,  I  pray,"  cried  the  Angel  of  Love, 
"He  will  strive  to  resemble  Thy  nature  above; 
I  behold   his  employment — his  labours  how  blest, 
He  'mid  hunger  and  sickness  will  aid  the  distressed; 
With  a  tear  in  his  eye,  and  compassion  at  heart, 
He  will  freely  sweet  solace  where  need  is  impart. 
Create  man,  I  pray,"  cried  the  Angel  of  Love, 
"He  will  strive  to  resemble  Thy  spirit  above." 

But   the  Angel   of   Faithfulness   thereupon    rose, 
The  creation  of  man  might  and  main  to  oppose; 
"He  will  break  the  most  sacred  of  compacts,  I  weet, 
And  the  words  that  he  utters  be  fraught  with  deceit; 
Nought  but  falsehood  will  issue  from  man's  teeming 

brain, 

Whilst  hypocrisy  ever  forms  part  of  his  train." 
Quoth  the  Angel  of  Faithfulness;  "God,  in  Thy  plan 
Of  creation  include  not  a  being  like  man." 

Then  the  Angel  of  Justice  cried :  "Heaven !  create  him, 

Love  of  Law  and  promotion  of  concord  await  him; 

I  behold  him  fence  in  the  possession  of  right, 

And  all  barbarous  violence  putting  to  flight; 

With  firmly  fixed  laws  states  and  cities  he'll  bind, 

Whilst  with  order  cementing  the  bonds  of  mankind. 

Let  man  be  created,  then,"  Justice  implored, 

"By  whom  harmony  jarred  shall  at  last  be  restored." 

"O  do  not  make  man!"  cried  the  Angel  of  Peace, 
"For  ere  long,  'neath  his  sway  law  and  order  shall 
cease ; 

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TALMUDICAL    PERIOD 

States  and  cities  laid  waste  will  attest  where  he's  been, 
With    his   sword   steeped    in   blood   of   his   brother,    I 

ween: 

Dread  war  and  destruction  will  follow  his  path, 
And   the  world  be  o'erspread  with  dire  carnage  and 

wrath.  j  np 

Great  spirit  of  Life!  engender  him  not, 
Who  from  records  of  earth  law  and  order  will  blot." 

Thus  in  hopeless  divergence,  in  Heaven's  bright  bow- 
ers, 

The  spirits  angelic  were  spending  their  powers, 
Till  the  Angel  of  Truth,   in   God's   glory  effulgent, 
Thus  was  summoned  to  plead  in  a  tone  more  indulgent. 
"Truth!  lead  by  thy  light  to  the  bliss  of  salvation, 
Free  from  errors  and  prejudice  man's  aberration, 
That  each  neighbour  beside  him  a  brother  may  seem, 
God  above  him  the  Father  of  all  he  shall  deem, 
Tho'   for  thousands  of  years  his  pure  mind   be  o'er- 

cast, 

With   thine   aid   it   shall   shine  all   unclouded   at  last, 
Truth  shall  still  of  the  claims  of  strict  justice  remind 

him, 
Till    persistently    seeking    blest    peace    she    shall    find 

him, 
Then  Truth,  Justice,  and  Peace  shall,  in  process  of 

time, 

Loud    proclaim    upon    earth    Heaven's    kingdom    sub- 
lime." 

So  man  was  created — though  earth  clogged  his  soul — 
May  have  wandered  full  oft  from  its  heavenly  goal — 
To  make  known  the  One  Father,  who  wills  that  man- 
kind 

Be  by  Faith  and  by  Truth,   Peace  and  Justice  com- 
bined, 

Until  God  shall  be  King  on  that  glorious  day,  ' 
And  His  sovereign  Law  all  His  creatures  obey. 

LEOPOLD  STEIN. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Faithful  Bride 
A  M  id  r  as  hie  Parable 

FHERE  is  a  legend   (and  'tis  quaintly  sweet), 

Of  man  and  maid,  who  loved,  long,  long,  ago. 
But  fate  was  cruel, — they  were  forced  to  part, 
And  she  was  left  alone  in   grief  and  woe. 

And  she  was  left  alone  in  grief  and  woe, 

Nor  heeded  she  their  taunts  and  scornful  jeers; 

But  in  the  secret  vigils  of  the  night, 
His  letters  read  again  with  many  tears. 

Sweet  promises,  writ  to  her  long  ago — 

They  warmed  her  heart  these  words  of  living  flame ; 
And  much  men  marveled,   for  her  trust  proved  true; 

With  pomp  and  glory  back  her  lover  came. 

"My  own,"  he  said,  "Why  didst  thou  trust  in  me, 
When  men  but  mocked, — and  I  away  so  long?" 

"Dear  heart,"  she  said,  "I  read  thy  loving  words, 
Read  and  believed,  and  so  my  love  grew  strong." 

Wouldst  read  the  moral  in  my  simple  lines? 

The  bride  is  Israel,  her  Beloved,   He 
Who  ruleth  heaven  and  earth,  the  Lord  our  God; 

And  she  who  was  so  sad,  shall  happy  be. 

And  He  shall  say,  "O  tender  rose  of  mine, 
Which  I  have  taken  back  beyond  recall, 

What  kept  alive  thy  simple  faith  in  Me?" 

"Thy  Law,  O  Lord,  which  was  my  joy,  my  all!" 

ANONYMOUS. 


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TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 


The  Tongue 

OAID  Rabbi  Simon  to  his  son; 
*?'*To  market-place  do  quickly  run 

Naphtali,  my  lusty  lad, 

And  buy  the  'best'  that  can  be  had 
Of  things  to  eat.     I  say  the  'best,' 
Put  thou  thy  intellect  to  test!" 

"A  hind-let-loose,"  was  Naphtali, 
And  quick  to  strike  the  bargain  best. 

"Think  ye,  I  bring  a  spicy  tart, 

Or  sweet-meats  for  our  worthy  guest?" 

The  youth  replied,  "if  so  ye're  wrong, 

I've  bought  a  well-preserved  tongue." 

"The  tongue  had  neither  fat  nor  bone, 
Is  tender,  sweet  and  toothsome; 

This  the  food  that  not  alone 

Humans  eat,  but  also  angels  gladsome." 

"Well  done,"  the  rabbi  said.     "Now  go 

My  boy,  and  buy  the  'worst'  you  know." 

Again  the  lad  went  out,  and  back 
He  came  with  his  bargain  gruesome. 

A  goodly  tongue  he  showed,  the  same, 
He  first  did  say  was  wholesome. 

"How's  that,  my  son,"  the  father  said, 

"Can  one  thing  be  both  good  and  bad?" 


"Yes,  father,"  said  young  Naphtali, 

"In  Holy  Writ,  in  Book  of  Scriptures, 
Much  wisdom  and  delight  I've  found, 
Thus  saith  the  word  of  inspired  song; 
Both  life  and  death  are  in  the  tongue!" 

JOHN  D.  NUSSBAUM. 


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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Tongue 

"THE  boneless  tongue,  so  small  and  weak, 
1     Can  crush  and  kill,"  declared  the  Greek. 

"The   tongue   destroys   a   greater   horde," 
The  Turk  asserts,  "than  does  the  sword." 

The  Persian  proverb  wisely  saith, 
"A  lengthy  tongue — and  early  death." 

Or  sometimes  take  this  form  instead: 
"Don't  let  your  tongue  cut  off  your  head." 

"The  tongue  can  speak  a  word  whose  speed," 
Say  the  Chinese,  "outstrips  the  steed." 

While  Arab  sage  doth  this  impart; 

"The  tongue's  'great  storehouse  is  the  heart." 

From  Hebrew  wit  the  maxim  sprung, 
"Though  feet  should  slip,  ne'er  let  the  tongue." 

The  sacred  writer  crowns  the  whole, 
"Who  keeps  his  tongue  doth  keep  his  soul." 

ANONYMOUS. 

The   Universal  Mother 
(Pirke  Rabbi  Eliezar,  ii) 

HEN  by  the  hand  of  God  man  was  created, 
He  took  the  dust  of  the  earth  from  every  quarter- 
From  east  and  west,  and  from  the  north  and  south- 
That  wheresoever  man  might  wander  forth, 
He  should  be  still  at  home;  and,  when  a-dying, 
On  some  far  distant  western  shore,  and  seeking 
A  shelter  on  the  bosom  of  the  Mother, 
The  earth  might  not  refuse  to  clasp  him  saying, 
"My  offspring  art  thou  not,  O  roving  Eastern." 

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TALMUDfCAL   PERIOD 

Wherever  now  the  foot  of  Man  shall  bear  him, 
Wherever  by  the  final  call  o'ertaken, 
He  is  no  stranger  reckoned,  or  an  outcast, 
But  hears  exclaim  the  Universal  Mother, 
"Come,  child  of  mine,  and  slumber  in  my  bosom." 

SABINE  BARING-GOULD. 


Sandalphon 

LJAVE  you  read  in  the  Talmud  of  old, 
*"  *•     In  the  Legends  the  Rabbins  have  told 

Of  the  limitless  realms  of  the  air , 
Have  you  read  it, — the  marvelous  story 
Of  Sandalphon,  the  Angel  of  Glory, 

Sandalphon,  the  Angel  of  Prayer? 

How,  erect,  at  the  outermost  gates 
Of  the  City  Celestial  he  waits, 

With  his  feet  on  the  ladder  of  light, 
That,  crowded  with  angels  unnumbered, 
By  Jacob  was  seen,  as  he  slumbered 

Alone  in  the  desert  at  night? 

The  Angels  of  Wind  and. of  Fire 
Chant  only  one  hymn,  and  expire 

With  the  song's  irresistible  stress; 
Expire  in  their  rapture  and  wonder, 
As  harp-strings  are  broken  asunder 

By  music  they  throb  to  express. 

But  serene  in  the  rapturous  throng, 
Unmoved  by  the  rush  of  the  song, 

With  eyes  unimpassioned  and  slow, 
Among  the  dead  angels,  the  deathless 
Sandalphon  stands  listening  breathless 

To  sounds  that  ascend  from  below; — 

From  the  spirits  on  earth  that  adore, 
From  the  souls  that  entreat  and  implore 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  the  fervor  and  passion  of  prayer; 
From  the  hearts  that  are  broken  with  losses, 
And  weary  with  dragging  the  crosses 

Too  heavy  for  mortals  to  bear. 

And  he  gathers  the  prayers  as  he  stands, 
And  they  change  into  flowers  in  his  hands, 

Into  garlands  of  purple  and  red ; 
And  beneath  the  great  arch  of  the  portal, 
Through  the  streets  of  the  City  Immortal 

Is  wafted  the  fragrance  they  shed. 

It  is  but  a  legend,  I  know — 
A  fable,  a  phantom,  a  show, 

Of  the  ancient  Rabbinical  lore; 
Yet   the   old   mediaeval   tradition, 
The  beautiful  strange  superstition, 

But  haunts  me  and  holds  me  the  more. 

When  I  look  from  my  window  at  night, 
And  the  welkin  above  is  all  white, 

All  throbbing  and  panting  with  stars, 
Among  them  majestic  is  standing 
Sandalphon,  the  angel,  expanding 

His  pinions  in  nebulous  bars. 

And  the  legend,  I  feel,  is  a  part 

Of  the  hunger  and  thirst  of  the  heart; 

The  frenzy  and  fire  of  the  brain, 
That  grasps  at  the  fruitage  forbidden, 
The  golden  pomegranates  of  Eden, 

To  quiet  its  fever  and  pain. 

HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFELLOW. 


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TALMUDICAL   PERIOD 


Repent  One  Day  Before  Thy  Death 

LJOLD  thou  thy  friend's  honor  dear  as  is 

**       thine  own, 

Be  not  to  hasty  passion  prone; 

And  since  life   's  but  a  fleeting  breath, 

Repent  one  day  before  thy  death. 

RABBI  ELEAZAR. 


Value  of  Repentance 

""THE  Doctors  in  the  Talmud  say 
^     That  in  this  world  one  only  day 
In   true   repentance  spent  will  be 
More  worth  than  Heaven's  Eternitie. 

ROBERT  HERRICK. 


209 


Ill 

MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 


Now  Die  Away,  My  Tuneful  Song 


die  away,  my  tuneful  song, 
A  mournful  time  veils  ancient  grief 
In  recent  shrouds.  ANONYMOUS. 


Martyrdom 

I 

Y77ITHOUT,  the  lonely  night  is  sweet  with  stars: 
**      But  me  an  ancient  grewsome  tale  has  bound 

Of  them  He  chose  and  later  cast  aground 
As  on  a  raging  sea  to  drift  like  spars. 

Great  God!     Was  it  but  mockery  Thy  choice? 

Is  martyrdom  the  highest  crown  you  give? 

And  shall  a  People,  maimed  and  fugitive, 
Be  bearer  of  the  thunder  of  Thy  Voice  ? 

Burn  low,  my  lamp,  I  cannot  further  read; 

The  woes  of  countless  thousands  o'er  me  flood! 

From  out  the  shadows  lurid  shapes  arise: 
Of   executioners  who  foam  with  greed, 

Of  "holy"  swords  that  drip  with  infants'  blood, 
Of  flames  that  roar  and  shapes  that  agonize! 

II 

Behold!     What  strange  procession  do  I  see? 
Before  my  vision  dimmed  with  tears  of  rage, 
Emerging  as  from  mists  that  mar  the  page, 

In  sadness  stern  they  tread  so  solemnly. 

The  shadows  grimly  lie  to  left  and  right 

Like  huge  and  moving  forests  o'er  them  bent: 
Up  winds  the  road  in  tortuous  ascent, 

And  far  and  faint  a  Peak  in  misty  white. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  see!     From  out  the  lurking  shadows  leap 
Uncanny  shapes  of  beasts  with  howl  and  shriek! 
White  flash  their  fangs,  like  points  of  fire  their 

eyes! 

The  victims  fall  and  neither  groan  nor  weep; 
Each  lifts  his  eyes  unto  the  gleaming  Peak 

And  cries:  "The  Lord  our  God  is  One!"  and  dies! 

Ill 

And  yet  the*night  is  sweet  with  stars:  away 
Then  put  the  tale  of  martyrs  red  with  blood, 
Of  them  He  chose  to  prove  in  fire  and  flood, 

Of  saints  defiled,  and  blazing  auto-da-fe. 

Come!     Ope   your   lattice:   why   forever   read? 
The  million-jewelled  heavens  are  awake 
As  when  to  Abraham  the  Voice  outspake: 

"As  numberless  as  Heaven's  stars  thy  seed !" 

Sweet,    friendly  stars!     Your  splendor  calm 
Has  hot  since  then  diminished  by  a  gleam! 

Are  ye  not  witness  to  the  promise  still? 

Then,  heir  of  sorrow,  purge  your  heart  of  qualm! 

Shall  bitterness  of  soul  dislodge  the  dream? 

The  Peak  still  glimmers:  thrill,  my  spirit,  thrill! 

RUFUS  LEARSI. 

T-»  *7      n  j' 

During  the  Crusades 

PHY  faithful  sons,  whom  Thou  in  love  hast  owned, 
•*•     Behold!    are    strangled,    burnt    and    racked    and 

stoned ; 

Are  broken  on  the  wheel ;  like  felons  hung ; 
Or,  living,  into  noisome  charnels  flung. 
I  see  them  yonder,  of  their  eyes  bereft, 
And  there  their  mangled  limbs  in  twain  are  cleft. 
Beneath  the  wine-press  are  their  bodies  drawn, 
Crushed,  drowned;  6r  with  harsh  saws  asunder  sawn. 

-ELEAZAR. 

214 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

OWIFT  as  birds  of  prey,  they  darted 
*^  On  our  helpless  men  and  women, 
Making  martyrs  of  our  people. 
But  they  slew  the  body  only, 
And  the  soul  escaped  uninjured. 
They  assailed  us  with  false  pretexts, 
Yea,  with  wrongful  accusations — 
"For  the  festive  season,"  said  they, 
"Ye  have  slain  a  Christian  infant!" 
Yet,  withal,  they  promised  pardon, 
If  our  faith  we  would  relinquish. 
None  of  the  believers  faltered! 
First  was  Samuel  executed ; 
Next  his  wife,  and  then  his  daughter, 
Son's  wife,  brothers,  and  their  offspring. 
Simchah  bent  his  head  in  prayer ; 
Joseph  and  his  race  we  honor, 
For  he  went  to  death  in  triumph. 
Moses  stood  in  fire  encircled, 
Followed  by  his  son  and  daughter; 
Who,  entwined,  would  join  their  father. 
Israel's  tears  in  streams  were  flowing; 
Nor  could  tears  the  flames  extinguish. 
Also  Shabtai  and  his  consort, 
Who  would  not  their  faith  abandon, 
Were  consumed  to  dust  and  ashes. 
Gracious  Lord,  behold  these  victims, 
Who  in  death  the  truth  attested, 
"God  is  One,  there  is  no  other!" 

MENAHEM  BEN  JACOB, 


THOU,  to  whom  my  name  bears  witness, 
•*•    Be  not  silent,  I  entreat  Thee; 
Leave  not  hid  mine  ebbing  life's  blood! 
High  above  in  heaven's  regions, 
Far  and  wide  in  halls  of  learning, 
And  where  people  meet  together, 
Be  my  sacrifices  published ! 

215 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

How  my  tender  infants  perished; 
How  their  tortures  laid  me  prostrate, 
Learn  to  know  their  deeds  of  horror ! 
We  were  crushed  and  rent  asunder, 
Until  corpse  by  corpse  lay  buried. 
****** 

When  suffering  under  tryant's  torture, 
Our  wives  would  practise  priestly  functions, 
And  sacrifice  their  cherished  offspring; 
While  on  the  mother's  knee  they  nestled, 
The  woeful  work  was  calmly  finished; 
As  if  they  went  to  sleep  in  quiet. 
No  heed  was  given  to  the  precept, 
"Slay  not  the  young  one  with  its  mother"  ; 
For  now  no  sheep  from  folds  were  taken. 
Tied  down  like  lambs  prepared  for  slaughter, 
There  perished  fathers,  sons,  whole  households; 
And  God  was  hallowed  in  his  glory. 
When  they  beheld  the  pictured  idols, 
They  cried:  Depart!  let  us  be  murdered! 

DAVID  BEN  MESHULLAM. 


foes  with  hate  inflamed, 
Aimed  at  us  their  fatal  blow; 
Guileless  was  the  man  they  seized; 
And  when  savagely  they  slew  him, 
Angels  came  and  bade  him  welcome ; 
Took  his  soul  in  charge,  and  blessed  it. 
O'er  him  Zion's  daughter  weepeth, 
Israel  for  Elijah  mourneth, 
With  the  Holy  One  communing. 

"Throughout  the  kingdom  of  the  nations, 
Who  can  be  equalled  to  Thy  people? 
They  followed  Thee  through  flame  and  flood 
As  none  on  earth  have  followed  Thee." 
Alas!  our  hearts  within  us  melted, 

216 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

And  all  our  pride  sank  into  ashes. 
Elijah  rose  in  fire  to  heaven, 
And  round  the  pile  the  congregation 
Gazed  with  amazement  at  the  hero. 

The  pride  of  Israel,  precious  gems, 

Were  given  over  to  the  brute, 

As  undefended  by  their  chief, 

Baptizing  tyrants  seized  on  those 

Who  were  the  noblest  of  my  race. 

It  was  the  month  when  blossoms  fresh 

Are  ripening  into  golden  fruit: 

My  flowers  had  their  perfume  spread, 

When  wicked  men  with  fiery  rage 

Did  carry  off  the  helpless  prey. 

They  all,  as  one,  resolved  to  die. 

No  ransom  would  the  priest  accept, 

But  harshly  pressed  them  with  his  creed. 

They  all  who  pined  in  prison's  night 

Were  vainly  tortured  all  the  day; 

As  once,  at  Sinai,  one  in  mind, 

They  swore  allegiance  -to  their  faith. 

Well  would  they  die,  but  not  rebel; 

They  dreaded  none,  but  Judah's  God. 

"To  Him,"  said  they,  "our  troth  is  pledged, 

Away  with  gods,  the  works  of  stone!" 

To  test  the  fearless  heroes'  strength 

There  stood  prepared  the  funeral  pile; 

And  they  with  joy  awaited  death, 

Like  those  whose  bridal-day  has  dawned. 

HILLEL  BEN  JACOB. 


S,  they  slay  us  and  they  smite, 
Vex  our  souls  with  sore  affright ; 

All  the  closer  cleave  we,  Lord, 

To  thine  everlasting  word. 

Not  a  word  of  all  their  Mass 

Shall  our  lips  in  homage  pass; 

217 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Though  they  curse,  and  bind,  and  kill, 
The  living  God  is  with  us  still. 
Yes,  they  fain  would  make  us  now, 
Baptized,  at  Baal's  altar  bow; 
On  their  raiment,  wrought  with  gold, 
See  the  sign  we  hateful  hold; 
And,  with  words  of  foulest  shame, 
They  outrage,  Lord,  the  holiest  name. 
We  still  are  thine,  though  limbs  are  torn; 
Better  death  than  life  forsworn. 

Noblest  matrons  seek  for  death, 

Rob  their  children  of  their  breath; 

Fathers,  in  their  fiery  zeal, 

Slay  their  sons  with  murderous  steel; 

And  in  heat  of  holiest  strife, 

For  love  of  Thee,  spare  not  their  life. 

The  fair  and  young  lie  down  to  die 

In  witness  of  Thy  Unity; 

From  dying  lips  the  accents  swell, 

"Thy  God  is  One,  O  Israel"  ; 

And  bridegroom  answers  unto  bride, 

"The  Lord  is  One,  and.  none  beside"; 

And,  knit  with  bonds  of  holiest  faith, 

They  pass  to  endless  life  through  death. 

E.  H.  PLUMPTRE. 


DEHOLD,  O  Lord^Thy  faithful  people! 

*-*  The  father  slays  his  child,  the  dear  one ; 

The  mother  has  her  task  accomplished, 

And  sends  to  Thee  her  hallowed  offspring. 

Across  their  knees  the  parents  brandish 

The  keen-edged  knives  for  work  of  slaughter; 

The  mother  ties  the  child, 

The  father  makes  the  gash; 

They  say  a  sacrificial  blessing, 

For  they  are  met  to.  die  together, 

And  to  make  known  Thy  holy  Oneness 

218 


MEDIAEVAL   PERIOD 

And  one  announces  to  the  other, 
"This  day  we  keep  a  feast  of  union !" 
Their  children  all  they  immolate, 
As  free-will  gifts,  as  bonds  of  love. 

ANONYMOUS. 


""THEY  seized  our  holy  congregations, 
•*•    And  sent  among  them  fire,  murder! 
The  heroes  all,  Thy  true  adorers, 
Together  met  in  convocation. 
They  spared  no  more  their  offspring, 
Thy  faith  alone  they  honored. 
The  great  and  small,  together 
With  mothers'  babes,  were  slaughtered 
Like  offerings  at  the  festive  season. 
They  shouted  out,  "Remove  your  horrors, 
Not  them,  but  death  we  freely  follow!" 
And  from  the  homes  resounded  wailing; 
And  in  the  streets  the  sword  made  havoc. 
"G  give  me  death!"  the  son  entreated; 
This  filled  the  father's  heart  with  gladness, 
As  though  he  went  to  joyous  nuptials. 
The  loving  hand  had  hushed  all  sorrows, 
And  from  distress  it  brought  deliverance ; 
It  led  the  friend  to  blissful  slumber. 

EZRA  BEN  TANHUM. 


A  LTHOUGH  tormented  and  ill-treated, 
*^  And  dragged  to  die  upon  the  scaffold, 
We  cling  to  Thee  with  growing  fervor. 
They  strike  and  wound  us  sorely, 
To  turn  our  hearts  from  Him  that  liveth, 
And  to  impress  us  with  their  worship. 
They  tempt  us  with  enticements, 
And  would  ensnare  us  with  their  cunning; 
That  we,  deserting  Thee,  should  barter 
Our  faith  for  faith  in  Baal's  power. 

219 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Embroidered  even  on  their  vesture 

Is  shown  to  us  the  sign  of  terror. 

With  flattery,  too,  they  would  beguile  us; 

But  we  are  Thine,  though  maimed  and  shattered ! 

The  pious  wives  despatch  the  work 

And  offer  up  their  guileless  babes, 

The  fathers  quickly  slay  their  sons, 

And  wish  not  to  survive  their  dead. 

To  render  homage  to  Thy  unity, 

The  young,  the  fair,  prepare  for  death, 

With  "Hear  O  Israel!"  on  their  lips. 

The  bride  and  bridegroom  now  breathe  forth 

The  dying  words,  "The  Lord  is  One!" 

They  who,  in  life  were  wedded, 

Through  hallowed  death  are  reunited. 

KALONYMUS  BEN  JUDAH. 


Israel  Mocked 

"Vf/HY  so  sad,  thou  princely  child?" 

*     Moloch's  servants  scornfully  chide, 
Times  appear  and  pass  away 
Why  does  son  of  Jesse  hide? 
If  your  God  in  Heaven's  height 
Will  bring  you  to  His  holy  hill 
Wherefore  then  we  seek  to  know 
Why  His  chariots  linger  still? 

I  hoped  that  all  my  foes 

Would  see  my  swift  redemption; 

But  they  mock  and  say:  "Away  as  a  cloud 

It  passeth ;  no  hope  is  left  for  thee." 

I  hearken  shame-filled,  and  my  tears 

Flow  unresistingly. 

ANONYMOUS. 


220 


MEDIAEVAL   PERIOD 

The  Massacre  of  the  Jews  at  York 

An  Historical  Poem 

"And  scattered  and  scorn'd  as  thy  people  may  be, 
"Our  worship,  O  Father,  is  only  for  thee."  BYRON 

TTHERE  is  an  old  and  stately  hall, 

Hung  round  with  many  a  spear  and  shield, 
And  sword  and  buckler  on  the  wall 

Won    from    the   foe   in   tented   field: 
Yet  there  no  warrior  bands  are  seen, 
With  martial  step  and  lofty  mien; 
But  men  with  care,  not  age,  grown  white, 
Meet  in  York  Castle  hall  to-night, 
And  groups  of  maids  and  matrons  too, 
With  hair  and  eyes,  whose  jetty  hue 
Belong  to  Judea's  sunny  land, 
Are  mingling  with   that  sorrowing  band: 
What  doth  the  Jew — the  wandering  race 
Of  Israel,  in  such  dwelling  place? 
From  persecution's  deadly  rage 
A  refuge  in  those  walls  they  sought, 
The  zealots  of  a  barb'rous  age, 
Ruin  upon  their  tribes  had  brought. 

All  was  silent  without,  there  was  not  a  sound, 

There  was  not  a  whisper,  there  was  not  a  breath 

To   disturb   the   silence   still   and   profound, 

All  was  hush'd  as  the  vale  of  the  shadow  of  death: 

Within  was  tumult — loud   and  wild   debate 

'Mongst  those  who  at  that  midnight  council  sate; 

Famine  was  on  each  check,  and  every  eye 

Told   fearfully  of   its  wild   ministry. 

Starvation   and    despair   their  councils   urg'd, 

And  in  those   feelings  every  other  merged: 

Parents  almost  forgot  their  children's  cry 

In  their  own  overwhelming  misery; 

As   the   rush   of   the  waves  when   the   winds   are  in 

motion, 
And  the  storm-gods  abroad  on  the  dark  heaving  ocean, 

221 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Was  the  voice  of  the  crowd  'til  the  Rabbi  arose, 
Then  at  once  every  sound  was  hush'd  into  repose. 
Bent  was  his  form,  but  more  with  care  than  age, 
Sorrow  had  worn  the  furrows  in  his  face; 
Yet  in  the  features  of  the  revered  sage 
Somewhat  of  youthful  ardour  might  you  tr^ace, 
As  the  old  oak  that's  hollow'd  out  by  time 
Seems  to  retain  the  vigour  of  its  prime, 
"Men  of  Israel,"  he  said,  with  a  proud  flashing  eye, 
"This  night  doth  Jehovah  command   us  to  die 
The  death  of  the  brave,  for  the  Uws  that  He  gave, 
Leave  bondage  and  chains  for  the  coward  and  slave! 
What  is  our  crime,  O  what  is  the  deed, 
For  which  so  many  are  doom'd  to  bleed? 
Strangers — alike  through  every  clime  we  are   hurl'd, 
Through  every  land  our  seed  is  spread  abroad— 
Scorn'd  and  despised,  the  outcasts  of  the  world, 
Yet  still  the  chosen  people  of  our  God ! 
We  asked   these  Britons  for  a  home, 
A  shelter  from  the  inclement  skies: 
Have  we  despoiled   a  Christian   dome, 
Or  sought  a  Christian  sacrifice? 
We  did  but  ask  a  dwelling  place, 
And  in  return  our  wealth  we  gave; 
They  spurn'd  us  as  an  outcast  race, 
And  brand  us  with  the  name  of  slave: 
They  hate  us,  for  we  seek  to  tread 
The  peaceful  path  our  fathers  trod; 
They  hate  us,  for  we  bow  our  heads 
Before  the  shrine  of  Israel's  God; 
And  now  because  we  sought  to  bring 
A  tribute  to  their  new  crown'd  king, 
Like  savage  beasts  they  hunt  us  down, 
Their  streets  with  Jewish  dead  are  strewn; 
And  they  who  can  boast  of  mercy  and  love, 
And  picture  their  God  in  the  form  of  a  dove, 
Are  athirst  for  our  blood,  our  possession  they  crave! 
But  the  wealth  we  have  toiled  for,  they  never  shall 
have 

222 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

While  there's  fire  on  the  hearthstone  or  sword  in  the 
hall, 

By  the  hand  of  each  other  'tis  better  to  fall: 

There  have  been  times,  and  this  is  such  a  time, 

When  even  suicide  is  not  a  crime: 

Behold  how  your  wives  and  your  children  are  cling- 
ing 

Around  ye,  and  pray  for  a  morsel  of  bread, 

While  the  cold  heartless  wretches  beneath  have  been 
flinging 

Profusion  away,  and  they  carelessly  tread 

On  the  food  that  your  wives  and  your  children  would 
save 

From  the  pangs  of  starvation — the  jaws  of  the  grave! 

Then  shall  such  monsters  triumph  o'er  us? 

They  think   that   yield   to   them   we  must, 

Where'er  we  turn,  there's  death  before  us; 

We  cannot  to  their  mercy  trust, 

We  cannot  on  their  faith  rely, 

Then  let  us  see  our  dear  ones  die; 

Thus,  thus  will  we  defy  our  foes, 

By  our  own  hands  they  all  shall  bleed, 

Their  blood  be  on  the  heads  of  those 

Who  goaded  us  to  such  a  deed. 

The  husband  turneth  to  his  wife, 

The  lover  to  his  lov'd  doth  cling — 

To  raise  an  arm  against  the  life 

Of  woman,   is  a  fearful   thing! 

Aye,  so  it  is:  but  I  have  here 

A  stake  that  is  to  me  as  dear, 

The   solace  of   my  widow'd  years, 

The  object  of  my  fondest  cares." 

He   pointed   where   there  stood   apart 

Watching  the  chosen  one  of  her  heart, 

A  maiden  passing  fair; 

Her  raven  hair  was  backward  flung, 

And  on  her  brow  of  snow  there  hung 

A  dark  cloud  of  despair, 

Ah!  little  did  poor  Rachel  deem 

223 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

When  in  her  spirits  first  bright  dream 

With  beaming  eyes  and  flushing  brow 

She  listened  to  Manasseh's  vow, 

That  such  a  fearful  hour  as  this 

Would   ever  blight   her  dream   of  bliss. 

She  was  Ben   Israel's  only  child, 

A  child  of  one  long  passed  away, 

And  he  upon  their  loves  had  smil'd, 

And  gladly  named  the  bridal  day. 

He  glanc'd  his  eyes  around,  as  he  paused, 

To  mark  the  effect  which  his  words  had  caused: 

The  men   sat  silent,   and   scarce  drew  breath, 

As  they  heard  the  decree  that  doom'd  them  to  death. 

The  mother  convulsively  press'd  to  her  heart 

The  lov'd  babe  from  whom  she  so  soon  was  to  part. 

The  matron  seem'd  bound  by  a  holier  tie 

To  the  lord  of  her  heart,  with  whom  she  must  die. 

None  murmured  a  sound — save  a  few  who  sate 

At  the  end  of  the  hall,  in  deep  debate; 

The  quivering  limb   and   downcast  eye 

Told  they  were  cowards  who  fear'd  to  die. 

At  length  Ben  Ephraim  rose  and  spoke, 

And  at  once  the  death-like  silence  broke: — 

"Ben  Israel,"  he  said,  "  'tis  a  dread  decree, 

For   we   might  once    again   be   free: 

We  might  bribe  the  foemen  our  lives  to  save, 

And  snatch  our  little  ones  from  the  grave." 

Ben  Israel  rose,  and  dash'd  the  trace 

Of  the  tears  from  off  his  rugged  face 

(Which  had  gathered  there,  in  spite  of  his  pride) 

Then  turn'd  to  the  coward  and  thus  replied : — 

"Seek  ye  for  mercy  ?  ask  yon  man  of  blood 

(Who  dares  to  call  himself  a  priest  of  God), 

For  mercy!  and  ye  will  such  mercy  find 

As  the  pursuing  huntsman  gives  the  hind ; 

Such  mercy  as  the  hapless  bird  may  seek 

When   closely   clutch'd  within   the  vulture's  beak! 

In  yonder  blood-stained  city  did  they  spare 

The  brave,  the  ag'd,  the  youthful,  or  the  fair? 

224 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

No!  babes  from  their  mother's  breasts  were  torn, 

And  their  dying  shrieks  on  the  air  were  borne; 

Nor  did  they  heed  the  father's  accents'  wild, 

Entreating  them  to  save  his  darling  child ; 

But  hew'd  them  down  like  cattle,  where  they  stood, 

And  wash'd  out  their  religion  in  their  blood! 

Women  of  Israel!  would  ye  not  rather 

Fall  by  the  hand  of  a  husband  or  father, 

Than  brave  the  insults   that  await 

Ye,  when  they  force  the  castle  gate? 

When  the  Israelites  echoed  the  Maccabees'  cry 

As   they   raised  the  Asmonean   banner   on   high, 

They  stayed  not  to  think  upon  danger  or  death, 

But  glorified  God  with  their  last  fainting  breath, 

And  left  in  their  country's  annals  a  name 

That  will  ne'er  be  erased  from  the  records  of  fame. 

Then   think  on  the  glorious  dead 

Of  ages  long  gone  by; 

Think  on  the  cause  for  which  they  bled, 

And  like  them  dare  to  die; 

For  the  laws  which  our  God  to  his  prophet  reveal'd, 

Yes!  our  faith  in  their  truth,  with  our  blood  must  be 

seal'd. 

Depart!  all  ye  who  would  be  slaves, 
Nor  dare  disturb  our  latest  breath: 
Depart!   and  leave  the  glorious  graves 
For   those  who  prefer  to   apostacy — Death." 
A  few  of  the  weaker  and   cowardly-hearted, 
Rose  from  their  seats  at  his  words  and  departed. 
All  became  silent  then   around, 
The  very  children   hush'd  their  crying; 
In  that  vast  hall  there  was  not  a  sound, 
As  Ben  Israel  read  the  prayers  for  the  dying. 
He  ceased: — Five  hundred  voices  raise 
To  heaven's  high  throne  the  hymns  of  praise, 
And  ever  as  the  echoes  rung, 
The  self-devoted  victims  sung — Halleluyah! 

MARION  AND  CELIA  Moss. 


225 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Harvesting  of  the  Roses 
I7ROM  his  garden  bed  our  Lord 

Blossoms  for  his  pleasure  chose, 
Who  came  to  gather  many  a  rose. 
Nobles  waited  for  his  word ; 
Amidst  the  rage  of  murderous  blows 
They  were   in    death    to   him   restored. 

MENAHEM  BEN  JACOB. 

A  Martyr  s  Death 

"YTT7HERE  is  now  Elijah's  God?" 

™    When  will  scoff  and  scorning  end? 
Has  our  God  forsaken  us? 
Higher  and  higher, 
Winged  by  fire, 
Soared  Elijah's  sainted  soul, 
Bliss  to  earn  in  spheres  of  life. 
He  saw  his  brethren  sorely  tried, 
And  died  for  them  a  martyr's  death. 

MENAHEM  BEN  JACOB. 

The  Jewish  Martyr 

"DRING  forth  the  Jew!"  Ben   Hassim  said,   "the 

*-*  caitiff  of  his  creed, 

Who  has  reviled  our  holy  faith,  and  triumphed  in  the 

deed; 
Blaspheming   great    Mahomet's   name — by  Allah!    he 

shall  die; 

Upon  his  own  accursed  head  the  blasphemy  shall  lie. 
Woe  unto  thee,  thou  Jewish  dog!  if  thou  fail  to  clear 

the  guilt 

That  is  preferred  against  thee — deny  it,  if  thou  wilt! 
But  decided  proof  of  innocence  must  in  clearest  light 

be  shown 
Or,  by  Medina's  holy  shrine,  the  flame  shall  have  her 

own. 
How  say  you,  son  of  Israel,  to  the  charge  that's  now 

preferr'd  ? 

226 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

By   Mecca!    'tis   the    gravest    that   was   ever    told    or 

heard ; 
Be  cautious,  then,  and  have  a  mind  you  add  not  lie  to 

lie, 
If    truth    is    not    found    uppermost    the    bowstring's 

strength  we'll  try." 

"I  am  not  guilty  of  the  charge — 'tis  foul  and  falsely 

made; 

'Tis  jealousy  and  malice  in  dreadful  form  convey'd — 
Convey'd  to  suit  the  purpose  of  those  \vho  bring  me 

here ; 
They're  fellow-merchants  with   myself — we've   traded 

many  a  year. 
I  never  even  thought  the  words,  the  blasphemy,  you 

name, 
1  swear  by  Heaven  I'm  innocent!  I'll  ever  swear  the 

same  ; 

It  is  against  our  holy  creed,  which  teaches  us  to  love 
Each    and    all    our   fellow   men — 'tis   true,    as   God's 

above!— 
And  not  revile,  or  lightly  speak,  whate'er  their  creed 

may  be ; 
As  this  is  taught,  so  have  I  learnt — the  guilt  is  not 

with  me." 

"Upon    the   Koran's   holy   book    the    solemn   truth    is 

seal'd, 

The  accusation's  verified — your  guilt  is  now  reveal'd. 
Thy  star  has  set,  thy  doom  is  fix'd;  before  the  setting 

sun 
Shall   light   the   tops  of  yonder  hills,    know   that  thy 

course  is  run; 
For  death  awaits,  with  greedy  hand,  so  great  a  gain  as 

thou, 

And  what  avails  thy  holy  soul  in  such  a  time  as  now? 
That  boasted  zeal  that  warms  your  youth,  that  burns 

within  your  breast, 
Mayhap  we'll  try ;  your  courage,  too,  shall  also  feel  the 

test. 

227 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  Mufti  waits,  in  solemn  guise,  say,  wilt  thou  join  his 
band, 

And  with  him  swell  the  numbers  that  overrun  the  land, 

Who  believe  in  our  holy  Prophet — Mahomet,  blest 
be  he? 

Wilt  thou  a  Mussulman  become?  If  so,  thou  shalt  be 
free. 

You'll  not,  and  say,  you'd  rather  die — by  my  faith,  in- 
deed you're  true; 

First  hear  the  roar  and  see  the  blaze — you  know  not 
what  you  do." 


The  faggots  flame  in  fiery  wreath;  behold  a  funeral 

pyre  ; 
Before   its   glowing  embers   fierce   shall   blanch,   shall 

wane,  expire — 

A  sacrifice  of  human  blood,  of  human  flesh  and  bone, 
Must  drop  and  crackle  in   that  blaze — 'tis  there  no 

mercy's  shown. 

Yet  there  he  stands  a  martyr,  unerring,  true  to  God, 
So  earnest  in  his  dire  resolve — so  firm  he  pac'd  the  sod ; 
Undaunted  by  the  quiv'ring  thought  of  the  death  that 

did  await — 

A  death  of  bitter  agony,  of  pain  and  anguish  great. 
With  arms  across  his  stricken  breast,  and  eyes  serenely 

set, 
Calm  was  his  gaze,  so  full  of  hope  that  speaking  eye 

of  jet; 

Upon  that  brow  all  dignified,  sat  piety  resigned — 
A  piety  all  hallow'd,  with  hope  and  trust  combin'd. 
His  was  the  hope,  the  vital  hope,  the  hope  that  never 

dies, 
The  light  that  even  torture  with  its  deadliest  throes 

defies ; 
The  solemn,  grand,  and  heavenly  thought,  of  devotion 

— constant,  true, 
That  had  mark'd  his  young  and  pious  life,  now  gave 

him  life  anew; 

228 


MEDIAEVAL   PERIOD 

And  through  the  bitter  vale  of  tears,  the  vale  that  leads 

to  death, 

The  unity  of  Israel's  God  he  prais'd  with  sacred  breath  ; 
"O  Lord!  receive  my  soul,"  he  cried;  "I  am  resign'd 

to  die; 

Blest  be  Thy  name,  the  terror's  past,  the  horror  I  defy. 
The  devouring  flames  may  crackle,  and  sere  the  thews 

of  youth, 

But  mine  it  is  the  triumph — I  die  for  faith  and  truth." 

Moss  MARKS. 


A  Song  of  Redemption 

/CAPTIVE  of  sorrow  on  a  foreign  shore, 
^     A  handmaid  as  'neath  Egypt's  slavery; 
Through  the  dark  day  of  her  bereavement  sore 

She  looketh  unto  Thee. 
Restore  her  sons,  O  Mighty  One  of  old ! 
Her  remnant  tenth  shall  cause  man's  strife  to  cease. 
O  speed  the  message;  swiftly  be  she  told 
Good  tidings,  which  Elijah  shall  unfold: 
Daughter  of  Zion,  sing  aloud!  behold 

Thy  Prince  of  Peace! 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye? 

Mercy  we  crave! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save! 

Surely  a  limit  boundeth  every  woe, 

But  mine  enduring  anguish  hath  no  end; 

My  grievous  years  are  spent  in  ceaseless  flow, 

My  wound  hath  no  amend. 

O'erwhelmed,  my  helm  doth  fail,  no  hand  is  strong 
To  steer  the  bark  to  port,  her  longed  for  aim. 
How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  Thou  my  doom  proleng? 
When  shall  be  heard  the  dove's  sweet  voice  of  song? 
O  leave  us  not  to  perish  for  our  wrong, 

Who  bear  Thy  Name ! 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye? 

Mercy  we  crave! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save ! 

Wounded  and  crushed,  beneath  my  load  I  sigh, 
Despised  and  abject,  outcast,  trampled  low; 
'How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  I  of  violence  cry, 

My  heart  dissolve  with  woe? 
How  many  years,  without  a  gleam  of  light, 
Has  thraldom  been  our  lot,  our  portion  pain! 
With  Ishmael  as  a  lion  in  his  might, 
And   Persia  as  an  owl  -of  darksome  night, 
Beset  on  either  side,  behold  our  plight 

Betwixt  the  twain. 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye? 

Mercy  we  crave! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save! 

Is  this  Thy  voice? 

The  voice  of  captive  Ariel's  woe  unhealed  ? 
Virgin  of  Israel,  arise,  rejoice! 
In  Daniel's  vision,  lo,  the  end  is  sealed": 

When  Michael  on  the  height 

Shall  stand  aloft  in  strength, 

And  shout  aloud  in  might, 
And  a  Redeemer  come  to  Zion  at  length. 

Amen,  amen,  behold 

The  Lord's  decree  foretold. 
E'en  as  Thou  hast  our  souls  afflicted  sore, 
So  wilt  Thou  make  us  glad  for  evermore ! 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye? 

Mercy  we  crave! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save! 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 

230 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

Jehuda  Ben  Halevy 
(Fragment) 

I 
"IF,  Jerusalem,  I  ever 

*    Should  forget  the.e,  to  the  roof 
Of  my  mouth  then  cleave  my  tongue, 
May  my  right  hand  lose  its  cunning — " 

In  my  head  the  words  and  music 
Round  and  round  keep  humming,  ringing, 
And  I  seem  to  hear  men's  voices, 
Men's  deep  voices  singing  psalms — 

And  of  long  and  shadowy  beards    * 
I  can  also  catch  some  glimpses — 
Say,  which  phantom  dream-begotten 
Is  Jehuda  ben  Halevy? 

But  they  swiftly  rustle  past  me, 
For  the  ghosts  avoid,  with  terror, 
Rude  and  clumsy  human  converse ; 
Yet,  in  spite  of  all,  I  knew  him. 

Yes,  I  knew  him  by  his  forehead 
Pale  and  proud  with  noble  thought, 
By  the  eyes  of  steadfast  sweetness; 
Keen  and  sad  they  gazed  in  mine. 

But  more  specially  I  knew  him 
By  the  enigmatic  smiling 
Of  the  lovely  lips  and  rhythmic 
That  belong  to  poets  only. 

Years  they  come,  and  years  they  vanish ; 
Seven  hundred  years  and  fifty 
It  is  now  since  dawned  the  birthday 
Of  Jehuda  ben  Halevy. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

At  Toledo  in  Castile 
First  he  saw  the  light  of  heaven, 
And  the  golden  Tagus  lulled  him 
In  his  cradle  with  its  music. 

The  unfolding  of  his  powers 
Intellectual  was  fostered 
By  his  father  strict,  who  taught  him 
First  the  book  of  God,  the  Thora. 

With  his  son  he  read  the  volume 
In  the  ancient  text,  whose  fair, 
Picturesque  and  hieroglyphic, 
Old-Chaldean,  square-writ  letters 

From  the  childhood  of  our  world 
Have  been  handed  down,  and  therefore 
Seem  familiarly  to  smile  on 
All  with  naive,  childlike  natures. 

And  this  ancient,  uncorrupted 
Text  the  boy  recited  also 
In  the  Tropp — the  sing-song  measure, 
From  primeval  times  descended. 

And  the  gutturals  so  oily, 
And  so  fast  he  gurgled  sweetly, 
While  he  shook  and  trilled  and  quavered 
The  Schalscheleth  like  a  bird, 

And  the  boy  was  learned  early 
In  the  Targum  Onkelos, 
Which  is  written  in  low-Hebrew 
In  the  Aramaean  idiom, 

Bearing  somewhat  the  resemblance 
To  the  language  of  the  prophets 
That  the  Swabian  does  to  German — 
In  this  curious  bastard  Hebrew, 

232 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

As  we  said,  the  boy  was  versed, 

And  ere  long  he  found  such  knowledge 

Of  most  valuable  service 

In  the  study  of  the  Talmud. 

Yes,  his  father  led  him  early 
To  the  Talmud,  and  threw  open 
For  his  benefit  that  famous 
School  of  fighting  the  Halacha. 

Where  the' athletes  dialectic, 
Best  in  Babylon,  and  also 
Those  renowned  in  Pumbeditha 
Did  their  intellectual  tilting. 

He  had  here  the  chance  of  learning 
Every  art  and  ruse  polemic; 
How  he  mastered  them  was  proven  . 
In  the  book  Cosari,  later. 

But  the  lights  are  twain,  and  differ, 
That  are  shed  on  earth  by  heaven ; 
There's  the  harsh  and  glaring  sunlight, 
And  the  mild  and  gentle  moonlight. 

With  a  double  radiance  also 
Shines  the  Talmud ;  the  Halacha 
Is  the  one,  and  the  Hagada 
Is  the  other  light.    The  former 

I  have  called  the  school  of  fighting; 
But  the  latter,  the  Hagada 
I  will  call  a  curious  garden, 
Most  fantastic,  and  resembling 

Much  another  one  that  blossomed 
Too  in  Babylon — the  garden 
Of  Semiramis;  'mongst  wonders 
Of  the  world  it  was  the  eighth. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Queen  Semiramis,  whose  childhood 
With  the  birds  was  spent,  who  reared  her, 
Many  birdlike  ways  and  habits 
In  her  later  life  retained  ; 

And,  unwilling  to  go  walking 
On  the  flat  and  common  earth, 
Like  us  other  common  mortals, 
Made  a  garden  in  the  air — 

High  on  pillars  proud,  colossal, 
Shone  the  cypresses  and  palms, 
Marble  statues,  beds  of  flowers, 
Golden  oranges  and  fountains; 

All  most  cunningly  and  surely 
Bound  by  countless  hanging  bridges, 
That  might  well  have  passed  as  creepers, 
And  on  which  the  birds  kept  swinging — 

Birds  of  many  colours,  solemn, 

Big,  contemplative  and  songless, 

While  the  tiny,  happy  finches, 

Gaily  warbling,  fluttered  round  them — 

All  were  breathing,  blest  and  happy, 
Breathing  pure  and  balmy  fragrance, 
Unpolluted  by  the  squalid, 
Evil  colour  of  the  earth. 

The  Hagada  is  a  garden, 

Is  just  such  another  whimsy 

Of  a  child  of  air,  and  often 

Would  the  youthful  Talmud  scholar, 

When  his  heart  was  dazed  and  dusty 
With  the  strifes  of  the  Halacha, 
With  disputes  about  the  fatal 
Egg  the  hen  laid  on  a  feast  day, 

234 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

Or  concerning  other  problems 
Of  the  same  profound  importance — 
He  would  turn  to  seek  refreshment 
In  the  blossoming  Hagada, 

Where  the  beautiful  old  sagas, 
Legends  dim,  and  angel-fables, 
Pious  stories  of  the  martyrs, 
Festal  hymns  and  proverbs  wise, 

And  hyperboles  the  drollest, 
But  withal  so  strong  and  burning 
With  belief — where  all,  resplendent, 
Welled  and  sprouted  with  luxuriance! 

And  the  generous  heart  and  noble 
Of  the  boy  was  taken  captive 
By  the  wild  romantic  sweetness, 
By  the  wondrous  aching  rapture, 

By  the  weird  and  fabled  terrors 
Of  that  blissful  secret  world, 
Of  that  mighty  revelation 
For  which  poetry  our  name  is. 


And  the  art  that  goes  to  make  it, 
Gracious  power,  happy  knowledge, 
Which  we  call  the  art  poetic, 
To  his  understanding  opened. 

And  Jehuda  ben  Halevy 
Was  not  only  scribe  and  scholar, 
But  of  poetry  a  master, 
Was  himself  a  famous  poet; 

Yes,  a  great  and  famous  poet, 
Star  and  torch  to  guide  his  time, 
Light  and  beacon  of  his  nation  ; 
Was  a  wonderful  and  mighty 

235 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Fiery  pillar  of  sweet  song, 
Moving  on  in  front  of  Israel's 
Caravans  of  woe  and  mourning 
In  the  wilderness  of  exile. 

True  and  pure  and  without  blemish 
Was  his  singing,  like  his  soul — 
The  Creator  having  made  it, 
With  His  handiwork  contented, 

Kissed  the  lovely  soul,  and  echoes 
Of  that  kiss  forever  after 
Thrilled  through  all  the  poet's  numbers, 
By  that  gracious  deed  inspired. 

As  in  life,  in  song  the  highest 
Good  of  all  is  simply  grace, 
And  who  hath  it  cannot  sin  in 
Either  poetry  or  prose. 

And  that  man  we  call  a  genius, 
By  the  grace  of  God  a  poet, 
Monarch  absolute,  unquestioned, 
In  the  realm  of  human  thought. 

None  but  God  can  call  the  poet 
To  account,  the  people  never — 
As  in  art,  in  life  the  people 
Can  but  kill,  they  cannot  judge  us. 

HEINRICH  HEINE. 
(Translated  by  Margaret  Armour.) 


To  Judah  Ha-Levi 

IMPASSIONED  hours,  when  Hebrew  was  the  key 

To  sweetest  rivalries  'twixt  man  and  man. 
And  poets  sat  enthroned  amidst  a  clan 
Of  choristers  divine.     How  blithesomely 

236 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

Those  skylarks  trilled,  and  flooded  earth  and  sea 
With  music,  till  the  words  enchanted  fell 
In  mute  prostration  'neath  the  wizard's  spell, 

And  master  note  in  Hebrew  minstrelsy. 

At  sunrise,  or  in  watches  of  the  night, 
When  half  a  world  is  sunk  in  drowsiness, 

Sing  to  me  of  Castilian  skies,  O  Sprite! 
Where  Lilith  veils  her  luresome  loveliness, 

And  I  will  stretch  a  tankard  for  the  wTine, 

And  froth  it  full  of  tears  for  Spain's  decline. 

M.  L.  R.  BRESLAR. 


How  Long? 

LJOW  long  wilt  thou  in  childhood's  slumber  lie? 

*"       Know  that  youth  flies  like  chaff  the  wind  before. 

Can  spring  forever  last?     Nay,  soon  draws  nigh 

Old  age's  messenger  with  tresses  hoar. 

Shake  thyself  free  from  sin,  as  ere  they  fly, 

The  birds  shake  of  the  night-dews'  pearled  store. 

Cast  off  temptations  that  thy  peace  defy, 

Like  troubled  waves  upon  a  rocky  shore, 

And  follow  after  that  pure  company 

Of  souls  that  seek  God's  goodness  evermore 

JUDAH   HA-LEVI. 


Back,  My  Soul 

I 

D  ACK,  my  soul,  into  thy  nest  ; 

Earth  is  not  for  thee; 

Still  in  heaven  find  thy  nest ; 

There  thou  canst  be  free. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Strive  not  for  this  world's  command, 

Look  to  what  thou  hast, 
Thou  amidst  the  angels'  band 

Shar'd  the  great  repast. 

Demean  thee  'fore  the  majesty 

Of  him  who  reigneth  there, 
And  in  a  lordly  company 

Be  thou  the  courtier. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  M.  Simon.) 


Oh!  City  of  the  World 

!   city  of  world,   most  chastely   fair; 
In  the  far  west,  behold  I  sigh  for  thee. 
And  in  my  yearning  love  I  do  bethink  me 
Of  bygone  ages  ;  of  thy  ruined  fane, 
Thy  vanished  splendor  of  a  vanished  day. 
Oh!  had  I  eagles'  wings  I'd  fly  to  thee, 
And  with  my   falling  tears  make  moist   thine  earth. 
I  long  for  thee;  what  though  indeed  thy  kings 
Have  passed  forever;  though  where  once  uprose 
Sweet  balsam  trees  the  serpent  makes  his  nest. 
Oh!  that  I  might  embrace  thy  dust,  the  sod 
Were  sweet  as  honey  to  my  fond  desire. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Kate  Magnus.) 


The  Immortality  of  Israel 

HTHE  sun  and  moon  unchanging  do  obey 
*•    The  laws  that  never  cease  or  night  or  day. 
Appointed  signs  are  they  to  Jacob's  seed 
That  life  eternal  hath  been  them  decreed. 

238 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

And  though,  O  Lord,  thy  left  hand  dealeth  pain, 
Thy  right  shall  lead  them  back  to  joy  again. 
Let  not  despair  oppress  their  quailing  heart, 
Though  radiant  Fortune  from  their  midst  depart. 
But  let  this  constant  faith  their  soul  uphold, 
That  in  the  Book  of  Life  their  name's  enrolled 
For  all  eternity:  nor  shall  they  cease 
While  night  and  day  do  alternate  in  peace. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Cohen.) 


The  Pride  of  a  Jew 

all  my  heart,  in  truth,  and  passion  strong, 
I  love  Thee ;  both  in  solitude  and  throng 
Thy  name's  with  me,  alone  I  shall  not  bide : 
My  friend  art  Thou,  though  others  from  me  glide. 
My  lamp  art  too:  my  light  shall  never  fade, 
Nor  shall  my  foot  e'er  slip,  by  Thee  upstayed. 
They  little  knew  who  have  despised  me  so, 
That  shaming  me  doth  cause  my  pride  to  glow. 
O  Fountain  of  my  life,  I'll  bless  Thee  aye, 
And  sing  Thy  praises,  O  my  song,  alway! 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Cohen.) 


The  Lord  Is  My  Portion 

OERVANTS  of  time,  lo!  these  be  slaves  of  slaves; 
But  the  Lord's  servant  hath  his  freedom  whole, 
Therefore,  when  every  man  his  portion  craves, 
"The  Lord  God  is  my  portion,"  saith  my  soul. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 


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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


My  Heart  Is  in  the  East 

1V4Y  heart  is  in  the  East,  tho'  in  the  West  I  live, 
***  The  sweet  of  human  life  no  happiness  can  give, 
Religion's  duties  fail  to  lift  my  soul  on  high; 
'Neath  Edom  Zion  writhes,  in  Arab  chains  I  lie! 
No  joy  in  sunny  Spain  mine  eyes  can  ever  see 
For  Zion,  desolate,  alone  hath  charms  for  me ! 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  H.  Pereira  Mendes.) 


Separation 

A  ND  so  we  twain  must  part!     Oh  linger  yet, 
•**•       And  let  me  still  feed  my  glance  upon  thine  eyes. 
Forget  not,  love,  the  days  of  our  delight, 

And  I  our  nights  of  bliss  shall  ever  prize. 
In  dreams  thy  shadowy  image  I  shall  see, 

Oh,  even  in  my  dream  be  kind  to  me ! 

Though  I  were  dead,  I  none  the  less  would  hear 
Thy  step,  thy  garment  rustling  on  the  sand. 

And  if  thou  waft  me  greetings  from  the  grave, 
I  shall  drink  deep  the  breath  of  that  cold  land. 

Take  thou  my  days,  command  this  life  of  mine, 
If  it  can  lengthen  out  the  space  of  thine. 

No  voice  I  hear  from  lips  death-pale  and  chill, 
Yet  deep  within  my  heart  it  echoes  still, 

My  frame  remains — my  soul  to  thee  yearns  forth. 
A  shadow  I  must  tarry  still  on  earth. 

Back  to  the  body  dwelling  here  in  pain, 

Return,  my  soul,  make  haste  and  come  again! 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 


240 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 


"From  Thee  to  Thee" 

\Y7HEN  all  within  is  dark, 

**         And  former  friends  misprise; 
From  them  I  turn  to  Thee, 
And  find  Love  in  Thine  eyes. 

When  all  within  is  dark, 

And  I  my  soul  despise ; 
From  me  I  turn  to  Thee, 

And  find  Love  in  Thine  eyes. 

When  all  Thy  face  is  dark. 

And  Thy  just  angers  rise; 
From  Thee  I  turn  to  Thee, 

And  find  Love  in  Thine  eyes. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 

(Translated  by  I.  A.) 

The  Cry  of  Israel 

""THOU  knowest  my  tongue,  O  God, 

Fain  would  it  bring 
A  precious  gift — the  songs 
Thou  makest  me  sing! 

Thou  guidest  my  steps  from  eld; 

If  boon  too  high 
I  ask — Thou  gavest  me  speech, 

Spurn  not  my  cry! 

My  thoughts  hast  Thou  made  pure 

As  whitest  fleece; 
Thou  wilt  not  that  mine  heart 

Shall  ne'er  have  peace. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Oh,  be  my  refuge  now, 

Even  as  of  yore. 
My  God,  my  Savior,  Thou — 

Tarry  no  more! 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated   by   Solomon    Solis  Cohen.) 

O  Soul,  with  Storms  Beset! 

SOUL,  with  storms  beset, 

Thy  griefs  and  cares  forget! 
Why  dread  earth's  transient  woe, 
When  soon  thy  body  in  the  grave  unseen 

Shall  be  laid  low, 

And  all  will  be  forgotten  then,  as  though 
It  had  not  been? 

Wherefore,  my  soul,  be  still! 

Adore  God's  holy  will, 

Fear  death's  supreme  decree. 
Thus  mayst  thou  save  thyself,  and  win  high  aid 

To  profit  thee, 
When  thou,  returning  to  thy  Lord,  shalt  see 

Thy  deeds  repaid. 

Why  muse,  O  troubled  soul, 

O'er  life's  poor  earthly  goal? 

When  thou  hast  fled,  the  clay 
Lies  mute,  nor  bear'st  thou  aught  of  wealth,  or  might 

With  thee  that  day, 
But,  like  a  bird,  unto  thy  nest  away, 

Thou  wilt  take  flight. 

Why  for  a  land  lament 

In  which  a  lifetime  spent 

Is  as  a  hurried  breath  ? 
Where  splendour  turns  to  gloom  and  honours  show 

A  faded  wreath 
Where  health  and  healing  soon  must  sink  beneath 

The  fatal  bow. 

242 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

What  seemeth  good  and  fair 

Is    often    falsehood    there. 

Gold  melts  like  shifting  sands, 
Thy  hoarded  riches  pass  to  other  men, 

And  strangers'  hands 
And  what  will  thy  treasured  wealth  and  lands 

Avail  thee  then  ? 

Life  is  a  vine,  whose  crown 

The  reaper  Death  cuts  down. 

His  ever-watchful  eyes 
Mark  every  step,  until  night's  shadows  fall, 

And  swiftly  flies 
The  passing  day,   and   ah!   how   distant  lies 

The  goal  of  all. 

Therefore,  rebellious  soul, 
Thy  base  desire  control; 
With  scantily  given  bread 

n  i  i  e  11 

Content  thyself,  nor  let  they  memory  stray 

To  splendours  fled, 
But  call  to  mind  affliction's  weight  and  dread 

The  judgment  day. 

Prostrate  and  humbled  go, 

Like  to  the  dove  laid  low. 

Remember  evermore 
The  peace  of  heaven,  the  Lord's  eternal  rest. 

When  burdened  sore 
With  sorrow's  load,  at  every  step  implore 

His  succour  bless'd. 

Before  God's  mercy-seat 

His  pardoning  love  entreat. 

Make  pure  thy  thoughts  from  sin, 
And  bring  a  contrite  heart  as  sacrifice 

His  grace  to  win — 
Then  will  His  angels  come  and  lead  thee  in 

To  Paradise.  SOLOMON   IBN   GABIROL. 

(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 

243 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Rabbi  Don  Santob,  or  Santo 

""THIS  poet,  a  Jew  by  birth,  flourished  about  1360. 
•*•  His  name  is  not  known,  but  he  seems  to  have  re- 
ceived the  title  of  Santo  by  way  of  honor;  "perhaps," 
says  Sanchez,  "for  his  moral  virtues  and  his  learning." 
He  is  supposed  to  have  been  either  a  native  or  a  resi- 
dent of  Carrion. 

THE  DANCE  OF  DEATH 

Here  begins  the  general  dance,  in  which  it  is  shown 
how  Death  gives  advice  to  all,  that  they  should  take 
due  account  of  the  brevity  of  life,  and  not  to  value 
it  more  highly  than  it  deserves;  and  this  he  orders 
and  requires,  that  they  see  and  hear  attentively  what 
wise  preachers  tell  them  and  warn  them  from  day 
to  day,  giving  them  good  and  wholesome  counsel  that 
they  labor  in  doing  good  works  to  obtain  pardon  for 
their  sins. 

Lo!     I  am  Death!     With  aim  as  sure  as  steady, 

All  beings  that  are  and  shall  be  I  draw  near  me. 
I  call  thee, — I  require  thee,  man,  be  ready ! 

Why  build  upon  this  fragile  life? — Now  hear  me! 

Where  is  the  power  that  does  not  own  me,  fear  me  ? 
Who  can  escape  me,  when  I  bend  my  bow? 
I  pull  the  string, — thou  liest  in  dust  below, 

Smitten  by  the  barb  my  ministering  angels  bear  me. 

Come  to  the  dance  of  Death!     Come  hither,  even 

The  last,  the  lowliest, — of  all  rank  and  station ! 
Who  will  not  come  shall  be  by  scourges  driven: 

I  hold  no  parley  with  disinclination. 

List  to  yon  friar  who  preaches  of  salvation, 
And  hie  ye  to  your  penitential  post! 
For  who  delays, — who  lingers, — he  is  lost, 

And  handed  o'er  to  hopeless  reprobation. 


244 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

I  to  my  dance — my  mortal  dance — have  brought 

Two  nymphs,  all  bright  in  beauty  and  in  bloom. 
They  listened,   fear-struck,   to  my  songs,   methought; 

And  truly,  songs  like  mine  are  tinged  with  gloom. 

But  neither  roseate  hues,  nor  flowers'  perfume 
Will  now  avail  them, — nor  the  thousand  charms 
Of  worldly  vanity; — they  fill  my  arms, — 

They  are  my  brides, — their  bridal  bed  the  tomb. 

And  since  'tis  certain,  then,  that  we  must  die, — 
No  hope,  no  chance,  no  prospect  of  redress, — 

Be  it  our  constant  aim  unswervingly 

To  tread  God's  narrow  path  of  holiness: 
For  He  is  first,  last,  midst.     O,  let  us  press 

Onwards!  and  when  Death's  monitory  glance 

Shall  summon  us  to  join  his  mortal  dance, 

Even  then  shall  hope  and  joy  our  footsteps  bless. 


Song  of  the  Spanish  Jews 


"It  was  in  Spain  that  the  golden  age  of  the  Jews 
shone  with  the  brightest  and  most  enduring  splendour. 

"In  emulation  of  their  Moslemite  brethren,  they 
began  to  cultivate  their  long  disused  and  neglected 
poetry;  the  harp  of  Judah  was  heard  to  sound  again, 
though  with  something  of  a  foreign  tone." — Milmans 
History  of  the  Jews. 

,  dark  is  the  spirit  that  loves  not  the  land 
Whose  breezes  his  brow  have  in  infancy  fann'd; 
That  feels  not  his  bosom  responsively  thrill 
To  the  voice  of  her  forest  the  gush  of  her  rill. 

Who  hails  not  the  flowers  that  bloom  on  his  way, 
As  blessings  there  scattered  his  love  to  repay; 
Who  loves  not  to  wander  o'er  mountain  and  vale, 
Where  echoes  the  voice  of  the  loud  rushing  gale. 

245 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Who  treads  not  with  awe  where  his  ancestors  lie; 
As  their  spirits  around  him  are  hovering  nigh. 
Who  seek  not  to  cherish  the  flowers  that  bloom, 
Amid  the  fresh  herbs  that  o'ershadow  the  tomb. 

Oh,  cold  is  such  spirit;  and  yet  colder  still 
The  heart  that  for  Spain  does  not  gratefully  thrill  ; 
The  land,  which  the  foot  of  the  weary  had  pressed, 
Where  the  exile  and  wand'rer  found  blessing  and  rest. 

On  the  face  of  the  earth  our  doom  was  to  roam, 
To  meet  not  a  brother,  to  find  not  a  home, 
But  Spain  has  the  exile  and  homeless  received, 
And  we  feel  not  of  country  so  darkly  bereaved. 

Home  of  the  exile!  oh  ne'er  will  we  leave  thee, 
As  mother  to  orphan,  fair  land  we  now  greet  thee, 
Sweet  peace  and  rejoicing  may  dwell  in  thy  bowers, 
For  even  as  Judah,  fair  land  thou  art  ours. 

Oh,  dearest  and  brightest!  the  homeless  do  bless  thee, 
From  ages  to  ages  they  yearn  to  possess  thee, 
In  life  and  in  death  they  cling  to  thy  breast, 
And  seek  not  and  wish  not  a  lovelier  rest. 

GRACE  AGUILAR. 


I  Will  Not  Have  You  Think  Me  Less 

\    WILL  not  have  you  think  me  less 

Than  others  of  my  faith, 
Who  live  on  a  generous  king's  largess, 
Forsworn  at  every  breath. 

And  if  you  deem  my  teachings  true, 

Reject  them  not  with  hate, 
Because  a  minstrel  sings  to  you 

Who's  not  of  knight's  estate. 

246 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

The  fragrant,  waving  reed  grows  tall 

From  feeble  root  and  thin, 
And  uncouth  worms  that  lowly  crawl 

Most  lustrous  silk  do  spin. 

Because  beside  a  thorn  it  grows, 

The  rose  is  not  less  fair; 
Though  vine  from  gnarled  branches  flows, 

'Tis  sweet  beyond  compare. 

The  goshawk,  know,  can  soar  on  high, 

Yet  low  he  nests  his  brood, 
A  Jew  true  precepts  doth  apply, 

Are  they  therefore  less  good? 

Some  Jews  there  are  with  slavish  mind 

Who  fear,  are  mute,  and  meek. 
My  soul  to  truth  is  so  inclined 

That  all  I  feel  I  speak. 

There  often  comes  a  meaning  home 
Through  simple  verse  and  plain, 

While  in  the  heavy,  bulky  tome 
We  find  of  truth  no  grain. 

Full  oft  a  man  with  furrowed  front, 
Whom  grief  hath  rendered  grave, 

Whose  views  of  life  are  honest,  blunt, 
Both  fool  is  called  and  knave. 

SANTOB  DE  CARRION. 


Why  Should  I  Wander  Sadly? 


"VWHY  should  I  wander  sadly, 

My  harp  within  my  hand, 
O'er  mountain,  hill,  and  valley? 
What  praise  do  I  command? 

247 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Full  well  they  know  the  singer 

Belongs  to  race  accursed; 
Sweet  Minne  doth  no  longer 

Reward  me  as  at  first. 

Be  silent,  then,  my  lyre, 

We  sing  'fore  lords  in  vain, 

I'll  leave  the  minstrels'  choir, 
And  roam  a  Jew  again. 

My  staff  and  hat  I'll  grasp,  then, 
And  on  my  breast  full  low, 

By  Jewish  custom  olden 

My  grizzled  beard  shall  grow. 

My  days  I'll  pass  in  quiet, — 
Those  left  to  me  on  earth — 

Nor  sing  for  those  who  not  yet 
Have  learned  a  poet's  worth. 

SUSSKIND  VON  TRIMBERG. 


Sonnet 

1WIY  sweet  gazelle!     From  thy  bewitching  eyes 
*"**•       A  glance  thrills  all  my  soul  with  wild  delight, 

Unfathomed  depths  beam  forth  a  world  so  bright — 
With  rays  of  sun  its  sparkling  splendor  vies — 
One  look  within  a  mortal  defies. 

Thy  lips,  the  gates  where  through  dawn  wings  its 
flight, 

Adorn  a  face  suffused  with  royal  light, 
Whose  radiance  puts  to  shame  the  vaulted  skies. 
Two  brilliant  stars  are  they  from  heaven  sent — 

Their  charm  I  cannot  otherwise  explain — 
By  God  but  for  a  little  instant  lent, 

Who  gracious  doth  their  lustrous  glory  deign, 
To  teach  those  on  pursuit  of  beauty  bent, 

Beside  those  eyes  all  other  beauty's  vain. 

IMMANUEL  BEN  SOLOMON  OF  ROME. 

248 


MEDIAEVAL    PERIOD 

Sonnet 

JV4Y    soul    surcharged    with    grief   now   loud    com- 
plains, 

And  fears  upon  my  spirit  heavily  weigh, 
"Thy  poem  we  have  heard,"  the  people  say, 
"Who  like  to  thee  can  sing  melodious  strains?" 
"They're   naught  but  sparks,"   outspeaks  my  soul   in 

chains, 

"Struck  from  my  life  by  torture  every  day. 
But  now  all  perfume's  fled — no  more  my  lay 
Shall  rise;  for,  fear  of  shame  my  song  restrains." 
A  woman's  fancies  lightly  roam,  and  weave 
Themselves  into  a  fairy  web.     Should  I 
Refrain  ?     Ah !  soon  enough  this  pleasure,  too, 
Will  flee!     Verily  I  cannot  conceive 
Why  I'm  extolled.     For  woman  'tis  to  ply 
The  spinning  wheel — then  to  herself  she's  true. 

RACHEL  MORPURGO. 


Sonnet 

LORD,    Thou    know'st    my    inmost    hope    and 

thought, 

Thou  know'st  whene'er  before  Thy  judgment  throne 
I  shed  salt  tears,  and  uttered  many  a  moan. 
'Twas  not  for  vanities  that  I  besought. 
O  turn  on  me  Thy  look  with  mercy  fraught, 
And  see  how  envious  malice  makes  me  groan ! 
The  pall  upon  my  heart  by  error  thrown, 
Remove;  illume  me  with  Thy  radiant  thought. 
At  truth  let  not  the  wicked  scorner  mock, 
O  Thou,  that  breath'dst  in  me  a  spark  divine. 
The  lying  tongue's  deceit  with  silence  blight, 
Protect  me  from  its  venom,  Thou,  my  Rock, 
And  show  the  spiteful  sland'rer  by  this  sign 
That  Thou  dost  shield  me  with  Thy  endless  might. 

SARA  COPIA  SULLAM. 

249 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Friendship 

.       ' 

Vf/HAT  treasure  greater  than  a  friend 
**        Who  close  to  us  hath  grown  ?  * 
Blind  fate  no  bitt'rer  lot  can  send 
Than  bid  us  walk  alone. 

For  solitude  doth  cause  a  dearth 

Of  fruitful,  blessed  thought, 
The  wise  would  pray  to  leave  this  earth, 

If   none   their   friendship   sought. 

Yet  sad  though  loneliness  may  be, 

That  friendship  surely  shun 
That  feigns  to  love,  and  inwardly 

Betrays  affections  won. 

SANTOB  DE  CARRION. 


250 


IV 
THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


The  Spirit  of  the  Sabbath 

"Come  my  beloved  to  meet  the  bride,  the  presence 
of  the  Sabbath  let  us  receive." — JEWISH  PRAYER 
BOOK. 


• 
N  evening's  bosom  snowy  cloudlets  weave, 


^   Light  fantasies  the  veil  of  night  shall  hide. 

The  wraiths  of  spectral  cares  that  softly  glide 

In  silentness,  and  plaintive  sighs  that  heave 

From  those  who  have  no  strength  to  loudly  grieve, 

Are  hushed;  and  in  an  ecstasy  of  pride, 

The  soul  of  rest  and  stillness  glorified. 

Welcome  the  beauty  of  the  Sabbath  Eve! 

Peace  folds  the  soul,  as  petals  fold  a  flower, 

Hushed  in  sweet  slumbers  with  night's  darkened  spell, 

The  bride  has  entered  in  her  lovely  bower, 

Where  love  entrenched  in  radiance  doth  dwell, 

And  decked  in  sweetness,  purity  and  truth, 

We  greet  her  in  her  everlasting  youth. 

ISIDORE  G.  ASCHER. 


Princess  Sabbath 

IN  Arabia's  book  of  fable 
*  We  behold  enchanted   princes 
Who  at  times  their  form  recover, 
Fair  as  first  they  were  created. 

The  uncouth  and  shaggy  monster 
Has  again  a  king  for  father; 
Pipes  his  amorous  ditties  sweetly 
On  the  flute  in  jewelled  raiment. 

Yet  the  respite  from  enchantment 
Is  but  brief,   and,   without  warning, 
Lo!  we  see  his  Royal  Highness 
Shuffled  back  into  a  monster. 

253 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Of  a  prince  by  fate  thus  treated 
Is  my  song.  His  name  is  Israel, 
And  a  witch's  spell  has  changed  him 

To  the  likeness  of  a  dog. 

. 

As  a  dog,  with  dog's  ideas, 
All  the  week,  a  cur,  he  noses 
Through  life's  filthy  mire  and  sweepings, 
Butt  of  mocking  city  Arabs; 

But  on  every  Friday  evening, 
On  a  sudden,  in  the  twilight, 
The  enchantment  weakens,  ceases, 
And  the  dog  once  more  is  human. 

A       i        •       r      i  11      i 

And  his  father  s  halls  he  enters 
As  a  man,  with  man's  emotions, 
Head  and  heart  alike  uplifted, 
Clad  in  pure  and  festal  raiment. 

"Be  ye  greeted,  halls  beloved, 
Of  my  high  and  royal  father! 
Lo!     I  kiss  your  holy  door-posts, 
Tents  of  Jacob,  with  my  mouth!" 

Through  the  house  there  passes  strangely 
A  mysterious  stir  and   whisper, 
And  the  hidden  master's  breathing 
Shudders  weirdly  through  the  silence. 

Silence!  save  for  one,  the  steward 
(Vulgo,  synagogue  attendant) 
Springing  up  and  down,  and  busy 
With  the  lamps  that  he  is  lighting. 

Golden  lights  of  consolation, 

How  they  sparkle,  how  they  glimmer! 

Proudly  flame  the  candles  also 

On  the  rails  of  the  Almemor. 

254 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

By  the  shrine  wherein  the  Thora 
Is  preserved,  and  which  is  curtained 
By  a  costly  silken  hanging, 
Whereon  precious  stones  are  gleaming. 

There,  beside  the  desk  already 
Stands  the  synagogue  precentor, 
Small  and  spruce,  his  mantle  black 
With  an  air  coquettish  shouldering; 

And,  to  show  how  white  his  hand  is, 
At  his  neck  he  works — forefinger 
Oddly  pressed  against  his  temple, 
And  the  thumb  against  his  throat. 

To  himself  he  trills  and  murmurs, 
Till  at  last  his  voice  he  raises; 
Till  he  sings  with  joy  resounding, 
"Lecho  dodi  likrath  kallah!" 

"Lecho  dodi  likrath  kallah— 
Come,  beloved  one,   the  bride 
Waits  already  to  uncover 
To  thine  eyes  her  blushing  face!" 

The  composer  of  this  poem, 
Of  this  pretty  marriage  song, 
Is  the  famous  minnesinger, 
Don  Jehudah  ben  Halevy. 

It  was  writ  by  him  in  honour 
Of  the  wedding  of  Prince  Israel 
And  the  gentle  Princess  Sabbath, 
Whom  they  call  the  silent  princess. 

Pearl  and  flower  of  all  beauty 
Is  the  princess — not  more  lovely 
Was  the  famous  Queen  of  Sheba, 
Bosom  friend  of  Solomon, 

255 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Who,  Bas  Bleu  of  Ethiopia, 
Sought  by  wit  to  shine  and  dazzle, 
And  became  at  length  fatiguing 
With  her  very  clever  riddles. 

Princess  Sabbath,  rest  incarnate, 
Held   in   hearty  detestation 
Every  form  of  witty  warfare 
And  of  intellectual  combat. 

She  abhorred  with  equal  loathing 
Loud  declamatory  passion- — 
Pathos  ranting  round  and  storming 
With  dishevelled  hair  and  streaming. 

In  her  cap  the  silent  princess 
Hides  her  modest,  braided  tresses, 
Like  the  meek  gazelle  she  gazes, 
Blooms  as  slender  as  the  myrtle. 

She  denies  her  lover  nothing 
Save  the  smoking  of  tobacco; 
"Dearest,  smoking  is  forbidden, 
For  to-day  it  is  the  Sabbath. 

"But  at  noon,  as  compensation, 
There  shall  steam  for  thee  a  dish 
That  in  very  truth  divine  is — 
Thou  shalt  eat  to-day  of  schalet! 

"Schalet,  ray  of  light  immortal! 
Schalet,  daughter  of  Elysium!" 
So  had  Schiller's  song  resounded, 
Had  he  ever  tasted  schalet, 

For  this  schalet  is  the  very 
Food  of  heaven,  which,  on  Sinai, 
God  Himself  instructed  Moses 
In  the  secret  of  preparing, 

256 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

At  the  time  He  also  taught  him 
And  revealed  in  flames  of  lightning 
All  the  doctrines   good   and  pious, 
And  the  holy  Ten  Commandments. 

Yes,  this  schalet's  pure  ambrosia 
Of  the  true  and  only  God: 
Paradisal   bread   of   rapture; 
And,  with  such  a  food  compared, 

The  ambrosia  of  the  pagan, 
False  divinities  of  Greece, 
Who  were  devils  'neath  disguises, 
Is  the  merest  devils'  offal. 

When  the  prince  enjoys  the  dainty, 
Glow  his  eyes  as  if  transfigured, 
And  his  waistcoat  he  unbuttons; 
Smiling  blissfully  he  murmurs, 

"Are  not  these  the  waves  of  Jordan 
That  I  hear — the  flowing  fountains 
In  the  palmy  vale  of  Beth-el, 
Where  the  camels  lie  at  rest? 

"Are  not  these  the  sheep-bells  ringing 
Of  the  fat  and  thriving  wethers 
That  the  shepherd  drives  at  evening 
Down  Mount  Gilead  from  the  pastures?" 

But  the  lovely  day  flits  onward, 
And  with  long,  swift  legs  of  shadow 
Comes  the  evil  hour  of  magic — 
And  the  prince  begins  to  sigh; 

Seems  to  feel  the  icy  fingers 
Of  a  witch  upon  his  heart ; 
Shudders,  fearful  of  the  canine 
Metamorphosis  that  waits  him. 

257 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Then  the  princess  hands  her  golden 
Box  of  spikenard  to  her  lover, 
Who  inhales  it,  fain  to  revel 
Once  again  in  pleasant  odours. 

And  the  princess  tastes  and  offers 
Next  the  cup  of  parting  also — 
And  he  drinks  in  haste,  till  only 
Drops  a  few  are  in  the  goblet. 

These  he  sprinkles  on  the  table, 
Then  he  takes  a  little  wax-light, 
And  he  dips  it  in  the  moisture 
Till  it  crackles  and  is  quenched. 

HEINRICH  HEINE. 
(Translated  by  Margaret  Armour.) 


The  Sabbath  Lamp 
(Suggested  by  a  picture  painted  by  S.  A.  Hart,  R.A.) 

CHINE,  Sabbath  Lamp,  oh  shine  with  tender  ray! 

Pierce  the  soft  wavelets  of  the  fading  light; 
Speed  the  faint  footsteps  of  the  waning  day, 
And  greet  the  shadows  of  the  coming  night. 

Cast  thy  rays  upward, — cleave  the  darkening   air, 
And  lift. a  stream  of  brilliant  light  on  high; 

Shine  on  the  wings  of  Faith,  and  may  they  bear 
The  wavering  wandering  heart  from  earth  to  sky! 

Fling  thy  beams  forward, — may  their  radiance  meet 
The  welcome  presence  of  the  heaven-sent  guest; 

Illume  the  path  she  treads  with  glistening  feet; 
The  Sabbath  Bride  of  Israel's  panting  breast! 

Cast  thy  gle*ams  backward — Six  days'  toils  are  told; 

Soothe  with  thy  smile  the  weaned  breast  and  brain; 
And  may  thy  glittering  lustre  change  to  gold 

Each  seventh  link  in  life's  dull  iron  chain. 

358 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Shed  thy  rays  downward — may  their  sacred  ray 
On  life's  rough  road  of  earthly  travel  shine; 

And  strew  the  crags  that  fret  the  rugged  way 

With  sparkling  gems  which  breathe  a  light  divine! 

Cast  thy  beams  inward — may  they  pierce  the  fold 
That  each  one  gathers  round  his  secret  breast; 

Shew  forth  the  idol  in  its  godless  mould, 
That  we  may  crush  it  in  our  bosom's  nest! 

Shed  thy  rays  outward, — lest  at  last  we  grow, 
Centered   in  self — and  life's  best  purpose  mock; 

And  dwell,  unmindful  of  a  brother's  woe, 
Like  callous  limpet  on  the  weed-bound  rock. 

Cast  thy  beams  homeward — may  they  sweetly  bear 
The  smiles  of  household  peace  where'er  they  shine; 

Test  of  an  earthly  mother's  tender  care, 
Type  of  the  heavenly  Father's  love  divine. 

Shine  near  and  far — in  every  Jewish  home — 
In    every   clime — on    every    distant    shore, — 

Where  in  the  stranger  land  the  loved  ones  roam: 
Oh!  let  us  greet  them  in  thy  gleams  once  more! 

Ah,  shine  afar !  and  may  thy  waves  of  light 
Bring  near  the  absent  dear  ones  far  away, 

Show  us  our  loved  ones  in  our  dreams  to-night, — 
Our  dead  who  rest  in  Heaven's  bright  Sabbath  day! 

For  Faith,  like  Light,  sheds  beams  on  every  side; 

Faith  shares  with  Light  its  radiating  power, 
Then  shine,  oh  Lamp!  and  greet  the  Sabbath  bride, 

And  shine,  oh  Faith!  and  bless  the  Sabbath  hour. 

Shine  on  the  Past — and,  as  the  raindrops  gleam 
With  rainbow  tints  where'er  the  sunbeams  rest, 

So  may  our  tears  grow  bright  beneath  thy  beam, 
And  every  grief  be  sanctified  and  blest. 

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Shine  on  the  Present — may  thy  beacon-light 

Beam  on  life's  sea  where  mists  and  tempests  reign; 

And  may  its  radiance  guide  our  course  aright, 
And  fling  its  silvery  track  across  the  main. 

Shine  on  the  Future — lead  these  hearts  of  ours 
Far  beyond  home  and  clime  and  native  strand, 

Light  up  the  East — gleam  on  yon  ruined  towers; 
And  rend  the  gloom  that  veils  our  long-lost  land. 

Shine  Sabbath  Lamp,  with  ray  of  heavenly  birth, 
Emblem  of  Faith  and  Hope  in  Mercy  given; 

Gleam  on  the  rude,  dark  path  we  tread  on  earth, 
And  light  our  souls  to  find  the  road  to  Heaven. 

GRACE  AGUILAR. 

. 

Blessing  the  Lights 

CILVER  candlesticks  that  beam, 

^        Holding  candles  ranged  in  line, 

Stand  on  snowy  tablecloth, 

Near  the  Sabbath  bread  and  wine. 

Lovingly  my  mother  lights 

Six  white  candles,  one  for  each 

Dear  and  loving,  living  child, 
When  the  twilight  hours  reach 

Bringing  in   the   Sabbath  bride; 

And  in  festive  robes  arrayed, 
Spreads  her  palms  before  her  eyes 

Moistened  by  the  tears  that  strayed; 

And,  like  beamings  of  Shekinah, 

Some  ethereal  beauty  plays 
Round  her  lips  as,  nodding,  she 

In  a  plaintive  murmur  prays, 

260 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

By  the  candle's  light  and  flame; 

And  her  face  begins  to  shine, 
And  her  brow  with  grace  is  haloed 

And  transfigured,  calm,  divine 

Looks  she,  chanting  soft  and  low; 

"Lord  of  life  and  joy  and  light, 
Man  whose  flame  of  life  is  short 

Makes  his  light  all  clear  and  bright 

"May  my  children,  plants  of  Zion, 
Love  Thee,  doing  Thy  behest, 

Fed  on  manna  of  the  Bible, 

Nourished  by  the  Torah's  breast. 

"Make  us,  scions  of  the  prophets, 

Happy  in  a  life  lived  whole; 
Lived  in  honor,  labor,  love, 

Lived  in  holiness  of  soul. 

"I,  Thy  handmaid,  what  am  I? 

But  to  all  you  deign  your  grace; 
Make  my  children  little  lights, 

Lighting  well  their  little  place. 

"Make  us,  seed  of  Abraham, 

Love-flames  burning  far  and  free; 

Lights  of  love  and  lights  of  virtue, 
Shining,  beaming,  God,  for  Thee." 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


Song  for  Friday  Night 

HTHOU  beautiful  Sabbath,  thou  sanctified  day, 
*•   That  chasest  our  cares  and  our  sorrows  away, 
O  come  with  good  fortune,  with  joy  and  with  peace, 
To  the  homes  of  thy  pious,  their  bliss  to  increase ! 

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In  honour  of  thee  are  the  tables  decked  white; 
From  the  clear  candelabra  shines  many  a  light; 
All  men  in  the  finest  of  garments  are  dress'd, 
As  far  as  his  purse,  each  hath  got  him  the  best. 

For  as  soon  as  the  Sabbath-hat  's  put  on  the  head, 
New  feelings  are  born  and  old  feelings  are  dead ; 
Yes,  suddenly  vanish  black  care  and  grim  sorrow, 
None  troubles  concerning  the  things  of  tomorrow. 

New  heavenly  powers  are  given  to  each; 

Of  everyday  matters  now  hush'd  is  all  speech ; 

At  rest  are  all  hands  that  have  toil'd  with  much  pain  ; 

Now  peace  and  tranquillity  everywhere  reign. 

Not  the  choicest  of  wines  at  a  banqueting  board 
Can  ever  such  exquisite  pleasure  afford 
As  the  Friday-night  rneal  when  prepared  with  due  zeal 
To  honour  thee,  Sabbath,  thou  day  of  sweet  rest! 

With  thy  angels  attending  thee,  one  at  each  side, 
Come  on  Friday  betimes  in  pure  homes  to  abide, 
In  the  homes  of  the  faithful  that  shine  in  their  bliss, 
Like  souls  from  a  world  which  is  better  than  this! 

One  Angel,  the  good  one,  is  at  thy  right  hand, 
At  thy  left  doth  the  other,  the  bad  Angel,  stand ; 
Compell'd   'gainst  his  will  to  say  "Amen,"  and  bless 
With  the  blessing  he  hears  the  good  Angel  express: 

That  when  Sabbath,  dear  Sabbath,  thou  comest  again, 
We  may  lustily  welcome  thee,   free  from  all  pain, 
In  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  with  joy  in  our  heart, 
And  again  keep  thee  holy  till  thou  shalt  depart! 

Then   come   with   good   fortune,   with  joy  and   with 

peace, 

To  the  homes  of  thy  pious,  their  bliss  to  increase! 
Already  we've   now   been   awaiting   thee  long, 
All  eager  to  greet  thee  with  praise  and  with  song. 

ISIDORE  MYERS. 

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The  Hebrews  Friday  Night 

,  my  beloved,  to  meet  the  Bride;  the  Face 
of  the  Sabbath  let  us  welcome." 

Sweet  Sabbath-Bride,  the  Hebrew's  theme  of  praise, 

Celestial  maiden  with  the  starry  eyes, 
Around  thine  head   a  sacred  nimbus  plays, 

Thy  smile  is  soft  as  lucent  summer  skies, 

Before  thy  purity  all  evil  dies, 
In  wedding-robe  of  stainless  sunshine  drest, 

Thou   dawnest  on   Life's   darkness  and   it  dies; 
Thy  bridal-wreath  is  lilies  Heaven-blest, 
Thy  dowry  Peace  and  Love  and  Holiness  and  Rest. 

For  in  thy  Presence  he  forgets  a  while 

The  gloom  and  discord  of  man's  mortal  years, 

To  seek  the  Light  that  streameth  from  thy  Face, 
To  list  thy  tender  lullaby,  which  cheers 
His  soul  and  lies  like  music  on  his  ears. 

His  very  sorrows  with  soft  splendor  shine, 
Transfigured  by  a  mist  of  sacred  tears; 

He  drinks  thy  gently  offered  Anodyne, 

And  feels  himself  absorbed  into   the   Peace  divine. 

The  Father  from  the  Synagog  returns 
(A  singing-bird  is  nestling  at  his  heart), 

And  from  without  the  festive  light  discerns 

Which  tells  his  faithful  wife  has  done  her  part 
To  welcome  Sabbath  with  domestic  art. 

He  enters  and  perceives  the  picture  true, 
And  tears  unbidden   from  his  eyelids  start, 

As  Paradise  thus  opens  on  his  view, 

And  then  he  smiles  and  thanks  his  God  he  is  a  Jew. 

For  "Friday-night"  is  written  on  his  home 
In  fair,  white  characters;  his  wife  has  spread 

The  snowy  Sabbath-cloth;   the  Hebrew  tome, 
The  flask  and  cup  are  at  the  table's  head, 

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There's  Sabbath  magic  in  the  very  bread, 
And  royal  fare  the  humble  dishes  seem; 

A  holy  light  the  Sabbath  candles  shed, 
Around  his  children's  shining  faces  beam, 
He  feels  the  strife  of  every  day  a  far-off  dream. 

His  buxom  wife  he  kisses,  then  he  lays 

Upon  each  child's  young  head  two  loving  hands 
Of  benediction,  so  in  after-days, 

When  they  shall  be  afar  in  other  lands, 

They  shall  be  knit  to  God  and  home  by  bands 
Of  sacred  memory.     And  then  he  makes 

The  blessing  o'er  the  wine,  and  while  each  stands, 
The  quaintly  convoluted  bread  he  breaks, 
Which  tastes  to  all  to-night  more  sweet  than  honeyed 
cakes. 

And  now  they  eat  the  Sabbath  meal  with  laugh 
And  jest  and  gossip  till  all  fun  must  cease, 

While  Father  chants  the  Grace,  all  singing  half, 
And  then  the  Sabbath  hymns  of  Love  and  Peace 
And  Hope  from  alien  lands  to  find  release. 

No  evil  can  this  night  its  head  uprear, 

Earth's  joys  loom  larger  and  its  ills  decrease; 

To-night  of  ghosts  the  youngest  has  no  fear — 

Does  not  his  guardian  Sabbath- Angel  hover  near? 

So  in  a  thousand  squalid  Ghettoes  penned, 

Engirt  yet  undismayed  by  perils  vast, 
The  Jew  in  hymns  that  marked  his  faith  would  spend 

This  night  and  dream  of  all  his  glorious  Past 

And  wait  the  splendors  by  his  seers  forecast. 
And  so  while  medieval  creeds  at  strife 

With  nature  die,  the  Jew's  ideals  last, 
The  simple  love  of  home  and  child  and  wife, 
The  sweet  humanities  which  make  our  higher  life. 

ANONYMOUS. 


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Sabbath  Hymn 

)f\ 

'OME  forth,  my  friend,  the  bride  to  mtfet, 
'  Come,  O  my  friend,  the  Sabbath  greet. 


"Observe  ye"  and  "remember"  still 
The  Sabbath — thus  His  holy  will 
God   in  one  utterance  did   proclaim. 
The  Lord  is  One,  and  One  His  name 
To  Him  renown  and  praise  and  fame. 

Come  forth,  my  friend,  the  bride  to  meet, 
Come,  O  my  friend,  the  Sabbath  greet. 

Greet  we  the  Sabbath  at  our  door, 

Well-spring  of  blessing  evermore 

With  everlasting  gladness  fraught, 

Of  old  ordained,  divinely  taught, 

Last  in  creation,  first  in  thought. 

Come  forth,  my  friend,  the  bride  to  meet, 
Come,  O  my  friend,  the  Sabbath  greet. 

Arouse  thyself,  awake  and  shine, 

For  lo !  it  comes,  the  light  divine ; 

Give  forth  a  song  and  over  thee 

The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be 

Revealed  in  beauty  speedily. 

Come  forth,  my  friend,  the  bride  to  meet, 
Come,  O  my  friend,  the  Sabbath  greet. 

Crown  of  thy  husband  come  in  peace. 

Come,  bidding  toil  and  trouble  cease. 

With  joy  and  cheerfulness  abide 

Among  thy  people  true  and  tried, 

Thy  faithful  people — come  O  bride. 

Come^forth,  my  friend,  the  bride  to  meet, 
Come,  O  my  friend,  the  Sabbath  greet. 

SOLOMON  ALKABIZ. 
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Come,  My  Beloved 


my  beloved,  to  meet  the  Bride 
With  joy,  at  Sabbath  even-tide; 
Her  presence  then  will  surely  dower 
Your  home  with  peace  at  Sabbath  hour. 

To  meet  the  Bride,  beloved,  come, 
Greet  her  with  welcome  in  your  home, 
The  doors  of  Jewish  faith  ope  wide, 
And  greet  with  love  the  Sabbath  bride. 

Come,  my  beloved,  the  Bride  to  meet  — 
Hasten  thy  steps,  the  Bride  to  greet; 
But  not  to  every  passing  show 
To  meet  her,  let  thy  footsteps  go. 

The   presence    of    the    Sabbath    Bride 
Seek  thou,  by  happy  fireside, 
Where  young  and  old  their  voices  blend 
And  Sabbath  songs  from  both  ascend. 

But,  see,  who  comes  with  mien  so  sad? 
The  Sabbath  Bride,  in  mourning  clad! 
The  beloved  fails  the  Bride  to  meet, 
And  Sabbath  eve  again  to  greet. 

Sadly  she  goes  from  door  to  door  — 
To  her  they're  shut   forevermore! 
For  her  no  festal  board  is  spread, 
With  Sabbath  cup  and  blessing  bread. 

But,  Bride,  thou  art  not  quite  bereft  — 
Of  those  who  loved  thee,  some  are  left 
Who  gladly  give  at  eventide 
A  welcome  to  the  Sabbath  Bride. 

Then  thither  let  thy  footsteps  roam, 
Your  holy  presence  fill  their  home, 
Where,  all  united,  side  by  side, 
With  joy  receive   the   Sabbath   Bride. 

M.  M. 

266 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 


The  Sabbath  Eve 

IN  quaint  old  Talmud's  pages, 
*  Where  speak  the  Jewish  sages, 
I  found  this  pearl  tonight: 
Behold  it,   fair  and  white! 

For,  as  the  rabbins  say, 
Two  angels  guard  the  way 

Of  him  on  Sabbath  eve 
Who  turns  his  homeward  feet 
Off  through  the  busy  street, 

The  synagogue  to  leave. 
And  if  the  lamps  are  lit, 
If  there   the   maidens   sit 
With  the  mother  by  their  side; 
If  there  the  youths  abide 
At   the  quiet  eventide — 
Then  speaks  the  spirit  blest — 
"Here  let  all  blessing  rest! 
May  every  Sabbath  be 
Like  this  one  unto  thee; 
Peace  to  this  dwelling,  peace!" 
And  he  of  little  ease, 
The  restless  demon,  then, 
Mutters  a  rough  "Amen!" 

But  if  the  darkness  there 
Obscures  the  evening  prayer; 
If  matron,  and  if  maid 
Show  worldliness  displayed; 
And  if  the  youths  have  place 
In  regions  low  and  base — 
Then    sneers   the   evil   one: 
"Be  all  thy  blessings  gone ! 
Make  every  Sabbath  be 
Like  this  one  unto  me!" 

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And,  with  his  head  bent  low, 
The  other  in  his  woe, 
Must  weep   and   utter   then 
His   sorrowful,    "Amen!" 

SAMUEL  AUGUSTUS  WILLOUGHBY  DUFFIELD. 
Friday  Night 


NIGHT!  come  draw  the  curtain; 
I  am  weary  with  the  week; 
Sit  before  the  grate-fire  with  me, 

And  together  let  us  speak; 
Put  aside  your  books  and  papers  — 

It  is  neither  night  nor  day, 
And  the  Sabbath  morn  approaches; 
Put  your  endless  toil  away. 

Watch  the  fire-light  —  how  it  flickers! 

See  the  light  and  shadow  play 
From  the  fender  to  the  carpet 

And  across  the  curtain  gay; 
See  its  gentle  fairy-fingers 

Touch  the  pictures  on  the  wall, 
Giving  them  a  life-like  beauty 

Lending  grace  to  each  and  all. 

Over  yonder  hangs  a  picture 

Sheltered   from   the   dancing  gleam; 
See  its  dim,  uncertain  outlines, 

Like  the  mem'ry  of  a  dream  ; 
Watch  the  light  dispel  the  shadows, 

And  observe  the  lovely  face; 
See,  it  seems  the  Sabbath  Spirit, 

Cloth  M  with  pure  and  tender  grace; 

Calling  to  your  mind  the  missing 

Angels  of  our  household  band, 
Who,  on  bygone  Sabbath  evenings, 

Sat  beside  us,  hand  in  hand  ; 

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THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

Bringing  back  our  hopes  and  longings, 
Crowning  them  with  light  divine, 

Showing  us  our  vain  endeavors, 
Softened  by  the  glow  of  time; 

Speaking  of  its  own  sweet  image, 

As  our  fathers  knew  it  best — 
Beautiful  in  true  thanksgiving 

For  the  day  of  peace  and  rest ; 
Teaching  us  to  break  the  shadows 

Hovering  o'er  its  lov'd  face, 
With  the  glowing  light  of  fervor 

Kindled  by  our  ancient  race. 

But  I  know  I'm  only  dreaming, 

'Tis  a  picture — nothing  more — 
Image  of  some  lovely  maiden 

Famed  in  song  or  fairy  lore; 
Drop  the  curtain,  watch  the  fire 

Till  the  shadows  flee  the  light; 
Rest  awhile  within  its  gleaming, 

On   this  peaceful   Sabbath  night. 

MIRIAM  DEL  BANCO. 


Friday  Night 

HTHE  majesty  of  sunset  in  the  west 

Has  glorified  the  ebbing  hours  of  day! 

The  world  is  hushed   as  if  its  heart  would   pray! 
In  busy,  Jewish  homes  there  enters  rest; 
The  weary  soul  no  longer  is  depressed, 

A  Sabbath  calm  has  come,  the  children  stray 

And  prattle  every  sombre  care  away, 
Our  Friday  night  has  made  our  portals  blest ! 

The  lamps  are  lit  in  solemn  joy  and  prayer, 
And  curtains  folded  close  to  hide  the  night, 
A  glow  of  love  in  every  Sabbath  light! 

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Unspoken  blessings  fill  the  chastened  air, 

And  happiness  pursues  time's  gentle  flight, 
And  over  all  God's  blessings  everywhere! 

ISIDORE  G.  ASCHER. 

Sabbath  Hymn 

,  descend,  O  Sabbath  Princess, 
With  rays  of  Shechinah  in  your  eyes, 
Descend  and  bring  us  peaceful  tidings, 
From  yonder  gently  dreaming  skies! 
Behold,  in  darkness,  and  in  sadness 

We  wander  here,  we  climb,  we  grope, 

Descend   and   give   us    Faith   and   Gladness, 

Descend  and  give  us  Light  and  Hope! 

Descend,  descend,  O  Sabbath  Princess, 

For  we  are  weary  here  and  blind, 
Descend  and  lighten  all  the  burdens 

Of  dreary  souls  and   faithless  mind. 
The  paths  of  life  are  rough  and  thorny, 

Our  feet  are  bleeding,  bleeding  sore, 
Descend  and   bring  us   Heaven's  promise, 

And  Sabbath  peace  for  evermore. 

AARON   COHEN. 

The  Sabbath 

for  us  the  Sabbath  of  the  quiet  streets, 
Sabbath  peaceful  o'er  the  world  outspread, 
Felt  where  every  man  his  neighbor  greets, 

Heard  in  hush  of  many  a  slowly  passing  tread. 
Not  the  robe  of  silence  for  our  holy  day: — 

Noisy  flock  the  worker  and  the  player; 
Toil  and  stir  and  laughter  of  the  way 

Surge  around  the  steps  that  seek  a  place  of  prayer. 
Silent  we  while  through  the  thronging  street  and  mart 

Work-day  clamor  of  the  city  rolls: — 
Cloistered  inly,  from  the  world  apart, 

Ours  'tis  to  bear  the  Sabbath  in  our  souls. 

NINA  DAVIS. 

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THE    JEWISH    YEAR 


Sabbath 

HPHE  Sabbath  is  here,  and  the  heavens  are  beaming, 
•*•    The  Shekinah  within  us  is  brooding  and  dreaming, 
The  soul  found  a  form  and  a  vestment  of  glory, 
And  lo,  a  new  Eden  and  Genesis  story. 
Peace  in  an  ecstasy  came  from  the  mountains, 
And  opened  the  heavens,  and  bliss  flows  in  fountains; 
The  earth  is  a  heaven,  for  man  has  ascended, 
And  the  soul  and  Shekinah  in  rapture  are  blended. 
The  cherubim  young-eyed  around  us  are  winging, 
My  soul  is  among  them;  to  heaven  'tis  clinging; 
My  soul  is  on  wings  now,  a  soul  that  is  singing; 
Holiness,  poesy  won  their  sceptre. 
And  man,  man,  himself,  is  a  Biblical  chapter. 
Our  souls,  we  discovered — to-day  we  have  two, 
The  new  life  is  old,  and  the  old  life  is  new; 
O,  see  how  the  spirit  is  wooing  God's  beauty, 
Rapt  lovers  are  we.     Our  love  is  a  duty, 
Songs  of  songs  our  souls  are;  the  heart  is  a  canticle, 
In  the  sunshine  of  Sabbath,  our  joy  is  nigh  frantical, 
Our  transport  of  peace,  it  is  sweet  without  cloyance, 
We  are  kings,  we  are  queens,  we  are  princes  of  joy- 

ance  ; 

The  swords  are  withdrawn  and  the  goal  is  attained, 
One  is  all  mankind,  the  Eden  regained, 
The  wine  of  the  Kiddush  pour  forth  to  o'erflowing, 
And  sing  hymeneals,  sing  "Zmiroth"  all  glowing, 
For  lo,  it  is  Sabbath,  the  day  of  God's  dreaming, 
The  day  of  the  perfect — a  day  without  scheming — 
Our  soul  is  in  heaven,  the  Star  of  the  Seven, 
Then  sing  like  an  angel  at  the  gateway  of  heaven ! 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


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The  Day  of  Rest 

QOME,  O  Sabbath  day,  and  bring 

Peace  and  healing  on  thy  wing,  . 

And  to  every  troubled  breast 

Speak  of  the  divine  behest: 
Thou  shalt  rest! 

Earthly  longing  bid   retire, 
Guard  our  passions'  hurtful  fire; 
To  the  wayward,  sin-oppressed, 
Bring  thou  the  divine  behest; 
Thou  shalt  rest. 

Wipe  from  every  cheek  the  tear: 
Banish  care,  and  silence  fear; 
All  things  working  for  the  best, 
Teach  us  the  divine  behest, 
Thou  shalt  rest. 

GUSTAV  GOTTHEIL. 


When  Is  the  Jew  in  Paradise? 


is  the  Jew  in  Paradise, 
Unchained  from  want  and  care; 
When  joy  wings  word  of  happiness 

And  peace  perfumes  the  air? 
When  is  the  hour  his  heart  is  light 

And  slow  he  is  to  grieve? 
The  Jew  has  but  one  Paradise, 
And  that  is  Friday  eve. 

A  noble  queen,  she  comes  to  bless 

And  bear  his  cares  away. 
To  every  home  this  Princess  comes 

And  sanctifies  the  day. 

272 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

The  rich  and  poor,  both  old  and  young, 

With  gratitude  receive 
The  Sabbath  Princess  of  the  Jew, 

Their  guest  of  Friday  eve. 

Who  sees  her  face,  Shekinah-like, 

He  lives  a  hundred  years; 
His  children's  children  bless  her  name 

And  all  that  she  endears; 
Her  sacred,  silent  footsteps  pass 

Through  every   heart   and   leave 
A  thousand  blessings  for  the  joy 

She  gives  on  Friday  eve. 

JOSEPH    LEISER. 


Sabbath   Thoughts 

I    BLESS   Thee,    Father,    for   the   grace 

Thou   me   this   day    hast    given, 
Strengthening  my  soul  to  seek  Thy  face, 
And  list  the  theme  of  heaven. 

I  bless  Thee  that  each  work-day  care 

Thy  love  hath  lull'd  to  rest, 
And  every  thought  whose  wing  has  prayer 

Thine  answering  word  hath  blest. 

I  bless  Thee,  Father!     Those  dark  fears 

That  linger'd  round  my  heart, 
That  called  for  murmurs,  doubts  and  tears, 

Thy  mercy  bade  depart. 

O  Thou  alone  couldst  send  them  hence 

On  this  blessed  day  of  peace, 
And  with  Thy  spirit's  pure  incense 

Bid  work-day  turmoil  cease. 

GRACE  AGUILAR. 


273 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

God  of  the  World 

(A  Sabbath  Hymn) 

D  of  the  World,  eternity's  sole  Lord ! 
King  over  kings,  be  now  thy  Name  adored ! 
Blessed  are  we  to  whom  thou  dost  accord 

This  gladsome  time  thy  wondrous  ways   to   scan! 

God  of  the  World,  eternity's  sole  Lord ! 
Early  and  late  to  thee  our  praises  ring, 
Giver  of  life  to  every  living  thing! 
Beasts  of  the  field,  and  birds  that  heavenward  wing, 
Angelic  hosts  and  all  sons  of  man! 

God  of  the  World,  eternity's  sole  Lord ! 
Though  we  on  earth  a  thousand  years  should  dwell, 
Too  brief  the  space,  thy  marvels  forth  to  tell. 
Pride  thou  didst  lower,  all  the  weak  who  fell 
Thy  hand  raised  up  e'er  since  the  world  began ! 

God  of  the  World,  eternity's  sole  Lord ! 
Thine  is  the  power,  thine  the  glory  be ! 
When  lions  rage,  O  deign  thy  flock  to  free! 
Thine  exiled  sons  O  take  once  more  to  thee, 
Choose  them  again  as  in  thine  ancient  plan! 

God   of  the  World,   eternity's   sole   Lord! 
Turn  to  thy  city,  Zion's  sacred  shrine! 
On  yon  fair  mount  again  let  beauty  shine! 
There,  happy  throngs  their  voices  shall  combine, 
There,  present  joy  all  former  ill  shall  ban! 

God   of  the  World,   eternity's  sole   Lord! 
King  over  kings,  be  now  thy  Name  adored! 

ISRAEL  NAGARA. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Abrahams.) 


274 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 
A  Sabbath  of  Rest 

(A  Sabbath  Hymn) 

PHIS  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

Thou  badest  us  standing  assembled  at  Sinai 

That  all  the  years  through  we  should  keep  thy  be- 
hest— 

To  set  out  a  table  full-laden,  to  honor 
The  Sabbath  of  rest. 

This  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

Treasure  of  heart  for  the  broken  people, 
Gift  of  new  soul  for  the  souls  distrest, 

Soother  of  sighs  for  the  prisoned  spirit — 
The  Sabbath  of  rest. 

This  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

When  the  work  of  the  worlds  in  their  wonder  was 
finished, 

Thou  madest  this  day  to  be  holy  and  blest, 
And  those  heavy-laden  find  safety  and  stillness, 

A  Sabbath  of  rest. 
This  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 

A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

If  I  keep  Thy  command  I  inherit  a  kingdom, 

If  I  treasure  the  Sabbath  I  bring  Thee  the  best — 

The  noblest  of  offerings,  the  sweetest  of  incense — 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

This  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

Restore  us  our  shrine — O  remember  our  ruin 
And  save  now  and  comfort  the  sorely  opprest 

275 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Now  sitting  at  Sabbath,  all  singing  and  praising 

The  Sabbath  of  rest. 

This  day  is  for  Israel  light  and  rejoicing, 
A  Sabbath  of  rest. 

Attributed  to  ISAAC  LURIA. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


Hymn  for  the  Conclusion  of  the  Sabbath 

1WFAY  He  who  sets  the  holy  and  profane 
i**1       Apart,  blot  out  our  sins  before  His  sight, 
And  make  our  numbers  as  the  sand  again, 
And  as  the  stars  of  night. 

The  day  declineth  like  the  palm-tree's  shade, 
I  call  on  God,  who  leadeth  me  aright, 

The  morning  cometh — thus  the  watchman  said — 
Although  it  now  be  night. 

Thy  righteousness  is  like  Mount  Tabor  vast; 

0  let  my  sins  be  wholly  put  to  flight, 
Be  they  as  yesterday,   forever  past, 

And  as  a  watch  at  night. 

The  peaceful  season  of  my  prayers  is  o'er, 

Would  that  again  had  rest  my  soul  contrite, 
Weary  am   I  of   groaning  evermore, 

1  melt  in  tears  each  night. 

Hear  Thou  my  voice:  be  it  not  vainly  sped, 
Open  to  me  the  gates  of  lofty  height; 

For  with  the  evening  dew  is  filled  my  head, 
My  locks  with  drops  of  night. 

O  grant  me  Thy  redemption,  while  I  pray, 
Be  Thou  entreated,  Lord  of  power  and  might, 

In  twilight,  in  the  evening  of  the  day, 
Yea,  in  the  gloom  of  night. 

276 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Save  me  O  Lord,  my  God  I  call  on  Thee! 

Make  me  to  know  the  path  of  life  aright, 
From  sore  and  wasting  sickness  snatch  Thou  me, 

Lead  me  from  day  to  night. 

We  are  like  clay  within  Thy  hand,  O  Lord, 
Forgive  us  all  our  sins  both  grave  and  light, 

And  day  shall  unto  day  pour  forth  the  word, 
And  night  declare  to  night. 

May  He  who  sets  the  holy  and  profane 
Apart  blot  out  our  sins  before  His  sight, 

And  make  our  numbers  as  the  sand  again, 
And  as  the  stars  of  night. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


The  Twin  Stars 

TIP  above  me  star  and  star — 

Side  by  side  like  twins  they  are: 
Like  the  eyes  of  God  they  seem, 
As  in  Heaven's  height  they  gleam. 

Like  on  Sabbath  light  and  light, 
By  my  mother   twinkle   bright. 
Are  there  eyes  that  watch  on  high? 
Are  there  Sabbaths  in  the  sky? 

. 

If  Almighty's  eyes  they  be, 
Do   they  fondly  look  at  me? 
But  if  lights   for  Sabbath-day — 
Who'll  the  Blessing  o'er  them  say? 

JOEL  BLAU. 
(Translated  by  the  author  from  his  Hebrew  original.) 


277 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Twin  Stars 

TWO  stars  are  shining  in  the  skies, 

Like  twins  they  are  united ; 
They  look  like  God's  own  beaming  eyes 
In  distant  darkness  lighted. 

Like  tapers  on  the  Sabbath  eve 

That  mother  kindles  for  us — 
Are  there  then  Sabbaths  up  on  high 

And  real  eyes  gleaming  o'er  us? 

If  God  Almighty's  eyes  they  are, 
Their  soft  glance  is  caressing; 
But  if  they're  only  Sabbath  lamps, 
Who  will  pronounce  the  blessing? 

JOEL  BLAU. 
(Translated  by  George  Alexander  Kohut.) 

The  Sabbath  Day — Kiddush  and  Plabdalah 

HTHOU  sweet  Sabbath  of  rest!  Priceless  gift  from 
•*•  above ! 

Sacred  symbol  of  faith!     Fruitful  token  of  Love! 
Thrice  welcome  to  him  who  hath  cast  off  the  coil 
Of  wearisome,  worrying,  work-a-day  toil ; 
Then  in  spirit  ecstatic  that  thrills  the  heart's  chord 
He  exclaims:  "Enter  hither  thou  blest  of  the  Lord." 
For  prepared  is  my  home  as  a  fit  dwelling-place 
For  Heavenly  Messengers,  Angels  of  Grace, 
Who  bear  on  their  wings  a  new  spirit  benign 
That  suffuses  man's  soul  with  afflatus  divine; 
Thus  bestowing  upon  him,  for  one  day  in  seven, 
While  a  creature  incarnate,  a  foretaste  of  Heaven. 

ANONYMOUS. 


278 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


The  Outgoing  of  Sabbath 

'"THE  shadows  have  taken  the  place  of  the  sun, 

The  Sabbath  is  over,  the  glory  is  gone; 
With  the  gold  of  the  sunset  the  new  soul  has  flown, 
And  God,  He  has  shattered  his  heavenly  throne 
And  closed  the  effulgent  gold  gates  of  the  sky, 
And  the  peace  and  the  dream  and  the  rapture  all  die; 
And  childhood,  the  cherub,  behold;  it  takes  wing — 
A  usurper  has  stolen  the  crown  of  the  king! 
The  shew-bread  is  eaten,  no  dainties  are  left, 
Of  silver  and  china  the  table's  bereft; 
The  cover  of  damask  is  folded  away, 
And  the  household  is  wrapped  in  dreariness  gray, 
The  poesy  paused,  and  the  weekday's  dull  prose 
Ascended  the  throne — the  thorn  for  the  rose! 
No  candles  are  lighted   for  mothers   to  bless, 
The  queen's  jewels   are   hidden   and   changed   is   her 

dress ; 

The  Talith  is  folded,  the  incense  suppressed, 
The  golden-clasped  Bible  is  laid  in  the  chest; 
A  fire  is  set  to  the  drippings  of  wine, 
The    Habdalah    light    quenched    in    the    smouldering 

shine  ; 

The  last  of  the  wine  cup  is  drained  by  the  young, 
And  Zemiroth,  last  strain  of  the  Sabbath  is  sung; 
Unaccountable  sadness,  some  shadowy  pain 
On  the  mind  and  the  memory  lies  like  a  stain; 
The  heart  with  the  tumult  of  being  is  tossed, 
The  swords  they  are  blazing,  the  Paradise  's  lost! 
The  shadow — the  shadow  replaces  the  sun, 
The  last  strain  of  Sabbath's  Zemiroth  is  sung. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


279 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Last  Sabbath  Light 

'"THE  last  lone  Sabbath  candle  sheds 

Its  light  as  pure  as  Torah ; 
Three  other  wicks  as  black  as  night* 
Lie  spent  in  the  Menorah. 

Without,  the  darkness  gathers  thick; 

The  window  panes  are  frozen — 
"Oh,  God,  let  not  for  my  last  breath 

A  pall  of  gloom  be  chosen. 

"On  me  a  mother's  tears  were  shed 

One  evening  of  each  seven; 
So  gather  up  my  dying  flame 

And  build  a  star  in  heaven." 

H.  ROSENBLATT. 
(Translated  by  Leah  W.  Leonard.) 


•  Selichoth 

\Y7HEN  the  pride  of  the  rose  is  the  image  of  sor- 
™  row, 

And  the  leaf  that  is  yellow,  steals  joy  from  to-mor- 
row, 
When  the  night  is  the  darkest,  and  the  stars  are  the 

brightest, 

When  sleep  is  the  soundest,  and  dreams  are  the  light- 
est, 

When  warm  is  the  home,  and  the  heavens  are  chilly, 
And  soft  is  the  couch,  and  the  rising  is  hilly, 
When   the   nests   and    the   flowers   are   dreaming   and 

sleeping, 

Who  is  it,  with  heaven  is  silently  weeping 
As  he  dashes  a  dream  from  his  dim  drowsy  eye, 
When  searching  for  signs  of  the  dawn  in  the  sky? 
Who  is  it  in  shadows,  a  lantern  is  lighting, 
And  fondles  a  hymnal,  days  darkened  with  blighting, 

280 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

The  covers  all  frayed,  and  the  folios  yellowed; 
Ah,   ages  with  ages  of  tear  stains  here  followed ; 
Who  is  it  with  hymnal  o'er  mountains  is  running, 
Through  mists  that  are  mazy,  and  ways  that  are  cun- 
ning, 

O'er  royalties  fallen  with  manifold  sighings, 
Where  the  spirit  of  autumn  is  silently  crying, 
O'er  Eden  in  ruins  though  dewdrops  are  falling, 
Where    things   that   are   widowed   and   orphaned    are 

calling, 

Through  bowers  where  silent  the  birds  are  in  dream- 
ing 

Of  songs  they  will  sing  when  the  heavens  are  beam- 
ing* 

O'er  gems  that  are  sparkling  on  bluebells  and  grasses, 
O'er  flowers  unseen,  like  a  spirit  who  passes 
With  the  dew  on  his  brow,  the  malign  mists  defy- 
ing? 

'Tis  the  Jew,  who  to  God  from  the  shadow  is  flying, 
And  the  night's  shining  soul  with  a  star  and  a  ray, 
It  brothers  the  palmer  to  pray  for  the  Day — 
The  synagogue  seeks  he  with  lights  all  ashimmer. 
And  finds  there  the  daylight  ere  morning  stars  glim- 
mer; 

Behold  it  is  Selichoth — the  storming  of  heaven 
With  prayers  and  tears  till  with  woe  it  is  riven; 
And  all  the  white  hymns  that  are  winged  with  white 

fire, 

And  shod  with  the  lightnings  of  souls  that  aspire, 
Make  way   through   the   seraphs   that   stand    by   His 

glory, 

And  tell  the  Almighty  sad  Israel's  story. 
O  hearken  how  myriads  of  martyrs  are  crying, 
And  ages  with  ages  in  sorrows  are  vying! 
"O  God,  who  of  mercy  made  sceptre  and  station, 
Who  keepeth  His  love  to  the  thousandth  generation, 
Long  suffering  heaven,   forgiving  transgression 
How  long  will  we  suffer?     O,  use  your  compassion, 
And  banish  injustice,   and  stay  the  oppressor, 

281 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Redeemer  of   Israel,   sole  intercessor! 

Make  righteousness  triumph,  make  love  hold  the  scep- 
tre, 

O  write  Thy  humaner  and  heavenlier  chapter, 

Bring  the  Jew  a  new  morn,  bring  the  world  a  new 
morrow." 

So  prayeth  the  Jew  with  the  Genius  of  Sorrow! 

ALTER   ABELSON. 


The  Turn  of  the  Years 

LJOW  may  we  know  you,  year  of  all? 
*  *       You  come  as  others  came, 
Night-sandaled,  and  your  flying  feet 
Set  bells  a-swing  in  every  street — 
But  you  are  dumb. 

We  run,  unwearied  travelers 

Still  on  the  upward  slope 
Of  life,  to  take  your  strong  young  hand, 
To  search,  to  dare,  to  understand — 

Pilgrims  of  hope. 

You  lead  us  on,  you  lead  us  up; 

We  seek  your  avatar 
By  fords  of  faith,  the  pass  of  tears, 
Peaks  of  delight — O  rest  of  years, 

You  take  us  far! 

And  then  you  go.     We  hear  your  voice, 

We  know  your  name  at  last, 
You  were  the  Future  that  we  sought, 
And  all  the  years  may  bring  us  naught 

But  you,  the  Past. 

H.  B.  FRIEDLANDER. 


282 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


Into  the  Tomb  of  Ages  Past 

I  NTO  the  tomb  of  ages  past 

Another  year  hath  now  been  cast; 
Shall  time,  unheeded,  take  its   flight, 
Nor  leave  one  ray  of  moral  light, 
That  no  man's  pilgrimage  may  shine, 
And  lead  his  soul  to  spheres  divine? 

Ah,  which  of  us,  if  self-reviewed, 

Can  boast  unfailing  rectitude? 

Who  can  declare  his  wayward  will 

More  prone  to  righteous  deeds  than  ill? 

Or,  in  his  retrospect  of  life, 

No  traces  find  of  passion's  strife? 

. 

A  "still  small  voice,"  as  time  departs, 

Bids  us  inspect  our  secret  hearts, 
Whose  hidden  depths  too  oft  contain 
Some   spot,    which    suffered    to    remain, 
Will  (slight  at  first)  by  sad  neglect 
The  hue  of  vice  at  last  reflect. 

With  firm  resolve  your  bosoms  nerve 
The  God  of  Truth  alone  to  serve, 
Speech,  thought,  and  act  to  regulate, 
By  what  His  perfect  laws  dictate; 
Nor  from  His  sanctuary  stray, 
By  worldly  idols  lured  away. 

Peace  to  the  house  of  Israel! 
May'  joy  within  it  ever  dwell ! 
May  sorrow  on  the  opening  year, 
Forgetting   its    accustomed    tear, 
With  smiles  again   fond   kindred   meet, 
With  hopes  revived  the  festal  greet! 

PENINA  MOISE. 


283 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Rosh-Hashanah 

I  STOOD,  to-day,  in  a  temple, 
*  Like  one  of  the  olden  time  ; 
And  I  dreamt  a  dream  recalling 

The  scenes  in  an  Orient  clime; 
And  I  felt,  though  somewhat  strangely, 

An  influence  sublime! 

And  before  me  hung  the  tablets 

Of  the  old  Mosaic  law; 
And    the   white-robed    ancient   Rabbis, 

Again,  in  that  dream  I  saw; 
And  the  Hebrew  psalms  are  chanted, 

Those  hymns  of  praise  and  awe. 

And  Israel's  pristine  splendor 

Arose,  as  in  days  of  old, 
When  each  prophet  after  prophet 

His  tale  of  promise  told; 
And  the  shades  of  by-gone  glories 

Before  my  vision  rolled. 

'Tis  the  New  Year  of  the  Hebrew; 

That  ancient  sacred  day, 
When  the  memories  of  the  ages, 

Awake   from   time's   decay, 
And  the  hopes  of  future  glories 

Are  bright  as  the  morning's  ray! 

I  beheld  the  chosen  children 
Of  the  Great  Eternal  God, 

Still  bend  in  mute  submission 
To  sorrow's  painful  rod; 

Desirous  still  to  follow 

The  road  by  their  fathers  trod. 

And  I  asked  if  a  faith  so  lofty 
Could  be  but  a  passing  show? 

284 


THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

And  the  echoes  of  the  by-gone 

Replied  to  my  doubtings,  "No." 
And  I  felt  in  their  constant  waiting, 
Their  strength  must  nobler  grow! 

JOSEPH  K.  FORAN. 


New  Year 

A  CROSS  the  life-path  of  our  destiny 
-**•  The  tempests  roll, 

Chill  mists  of  doubt,  dread  harbingers  of  ill 

Assail  the  soul. 
Behind  the  veil  that  hides  our  future  fate 

We  stand  in  fear, 
While  yet  the  shaft  of  day  illumes  the  dawn 

Of  this  New  Year. 
How  far  along  the  road  of  life  shall  be 

Our  pilgrimage? 
Or  has  the  book  of  our  day's  journey  reached 

Its  farthest  page? 
Will  star-crowned  joy  breathe  in  our  ear  sweet  songs 

Of  love  and  mirth, 
Or  will  sad  grief  with  tear-filled  eyes  bow  down 

Our  hearts  to  earth? 

Rest  sure  in  Faith.     Our  times  are  in  His  hand, 

He  guides  our  way, 
And  guards  our  feet  thro'   darkness  and  thro'  storm 

To  perfect  day. 

FLORENCE  WEISBERG. 


5666 — New  Year — IQO$ 

I7ROM  old  to  new,  with  broadening  sweep, 

The  stream  of  life  moves  on ; 
And  still  its  changing  currents  keep 
A  changeless  undertone. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  prophet  word  and  martyr  faith, 

Visions  of  saint  and  seer, 
The  poet's  song,  the  hero's  death— r- 

That  undertone  we  hear. 

A  sense  we  have  of  things  unseen, 

Transcending  thing  of  time; 
We  catch  earth's  broken  chords  between 

The  everlasting  chime. 

And   light   breaks   through   the   rifted   haze 

In  shining  vistas  broad ; 
We  stand  amid  the  eternal  ways, 

Held  by  the  hand  of  God. 

JACOB  KLEIN. 


S  ho  far  Echoes 

I'M  but  a  child,  and  childish  toys 
*"  Make  up  the  sum  of  all  my  joys — 
But  hark!  while  I  am  playing  here 
A  strange  sound  falls  upon  my  'ear, 
A  note  of  music  weird  and  wild, 
And  lo,  I  am  a  changeling  child — 
Where  I  stand  with  my  childish  feet, 
The  centuries  around  me  meet; 
Though  fresh  the  laughter  in  mine  eyes, 
And  on  my  lips,  yet  full  of  sighs 
The  air  about  me,  and  I  seem 
To  live  and  move  as  in  a  dream. 
With  that  strange  music  rise  and  swell 
Old  memories  of  what  befel 
The  children  of  my  ancient  race. 
The  Shofar  brings  me  face  to  face 
With  all  the  martyrdoms  of  old 
That  are  in  song  and  story  told; 
And  as  its  tones  ring  shrill  and  loud, 
They  make  me  feel  both  sad  and  proud 

286 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

That  I  am  heir  to  all  this  woe, 

That  all  this  glory  I  should  know. 

And  though  I  see  strange  children  play 

With  all  the  baubles  of  the  day, 

I  know  I  have  more  precious  things; 

My  gifts  are  from  the  King  of  kings, 

Whose  angels  He  before  me  sent, 

And  to  them  of  His  glory  lent. 

The  Shofar,  hark!  it  tells  my  soul 

That  as  the  ages  onward  roll, 

I  more  and  more  shall  feel  and  hear 

The  Spirit's  speech  around  and  near. 

My  feet  shall  forward,  upward  press, 

Until  a  perfect  wilderness 

Of  flowers  springs  where'er  I  tread, 

And  blessings  rain  down  on  my  head. 

So  may  the  Shofar  peal  on  peal, 

The  heart  unto  itself,  reveal  ; 

'Till  thou  again,  O  Israel, 

In  "Jacob's  goodly  tents"  shall  dwell. 

ANNETTE  KOHN. 


Kol  Nidre 

IN    lonely   hours   of    thought    I    long 
•*•  To  hear  again  that  sacred  song, 
So  solemn,  beautiful  and  soft, 
Which  years  ago  I  heard  so  oft! 

No  song  of  war  or  jilted  love, 
Nor  of  the  moon  and  stars  above; 
A  wandering  tribe  without  a  goal 
Asks  pardon  from  its  very  soul. 

Kol  Nidre,  masterpiece  of  art, 
Thou  outcry  of  a  weary  heart, 
Sublime,  seraphic,  seems  to  me 
The  sweetness  of  thy  melody. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

No  other  song  is  half  so  rich, 
And  none  may  ever  so  bewitch 
Like  thee — For  magic  is  thy  spell 
O  hymn  of  Israel. 

M.  OSIAS. 


Kol  Nidre 

\    O !  above  the  mourntul  chanting, 
Rise  the  fuller-sounded  wailings 
Of  the  soul's  most  solemn  anthem. 
Hark!  the  strains  of  deep  Kol  Nidre — 
Saddest  music  ever  mortal 
Taught  his  lips  to  hymn  or  sound! 

Not  the  heart  of  one  lone  mortal 

Told  his  anguish  in  that  strain ; 

All  the  sorrow,  pain,  and  struggles 

Of  a  people  in  despair, 

Gathered  from  the  vale  of  weeping, 

Through  the  ages  of  distress. 

'Tis  a  mighty  cry  of  beings 

Held  in  bondage  and  affliction ; 

All  the  wailing  and  lamenting 

Of  a  homeless  people,  roaming 

O'er  the  plains  and  scattered  hamlets 

Of  a  world  without  a  refuge, 

All  the  sorrows,  trials,  bereavements, — 

Loss  of  country,  home,  and  people, — 

In  one  mighty  strain  uniting, 

Chant  for  every  age  its  wail; 

Make  the  suffering  years  re-echo 

With  the  wounds  and  pains  of  yore; 

Give  a  voice  to  every  martyr 

Ever  hushed  to  death  by  pain, 

Every  smothered  shriek  of  laughter 

Burned  upon  the  fagot's  bier ; 

Bring  the  wander-years  and  exile, 

288 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Persecution's  harsh  assailment, 
Ghetto  misery  and  hounding, 
To  the  ears  of  men  to-day; 
Link  the  dark  and  dreary  ages 
With  the  brighter  future's  glow; 
Weave  the  past  and  hopeful  present; 
Bind  the  living  with  the   sleeping, 
Dust  unto  the  dust  confessing, 
Even  with  the  dead  uniting, 
When  the  soul  would  join  with  God. 

Slowly  creep  the  muffled  murmurs. 
As  the  leaves  and  flowers  conspiring, 
Steal  a  breeze  from  summer's  chamber, 
Hum  and  mumble  as  they  stroke  it, 
Smooth,  caress,  and  gently  coy  it, 
So  this  murmur  spreads  the  voices 
Of  the  praying  synagogue, 
As  each  lip  repeats  the  sinning 
Of  his  selfish,  godless  living, 
By  each  mutter  low  recounting 
Every  single  sin  and  crime — 
How  he  falsified  his  neighbor, 
Made  a  stumbling-block  for  blindness, 
Cursed  the  deaf,  unstaid  the  cripple, 
Played  his  son  and  daughter  wrong, 
Tattled  of  his  wife's  behavior, 
Made  his  father's  age  a  load, 
Spoke  belittling  of  his  mother, 
Took  advantage  of  the  stupid, 
Made  the  hungry  buy  their  bread, 
Turned  the  needy  from  his  threshold, 
Clothed  the  naked  with  his  bareness, 
Shut  the  stranger  from  his  fold, 
Never  begged  forgiveness,  pardon, 
For  a  wrong  aimed  at  a  foe, 
Never  weighed  the  love  or  mercy 
Of  the  Father  of  the  world. 
Low  the  lips  are  now  repenting; 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Every  mutter  is  a  sob 
Ebbing  from  the  font  of  being; 
Conscience  speaks  in  lowest  accents, 
Lest  the  voice  cry  out  to  men. 

Who  has  ever  heard  Kol  Nidre 
Gushing  from  the  breast  of  man, 
Rising,  falling,  as  the  ocean 
Lifts  the  waves  in  joy  or  fear. 
From  Time's  ocean  has  it  risen; 
Every  age  has  lent  a  murmur, 
Every  cycle  built  a  wall ; 
Every  sorrow  ever  dwelling 
In  the  tortured  heart  of  man, 
Tears  and  sighs  together  swelling, 
Answer  for  the  pangs  of  ages. 
'Tis  the  voice  of  countless  pilgrims, 
Sons  of  Jacob,  with  a  cry, 
Moaning,  sighing,  grieving,  wailing, 
Answering  in  thousand  voices 
Fate  and  destiny  of  man, 
Winning  soul   a  consolation 
For  their  sad  allotment's  creed; 
Wander-song  of  homeless  traveller, 
Outcast  from  the  ranks  of  men; 
Echoes  from  the  throes  of  mortals, 
Questioning  the  ways  of  God; 
Song  hummed  by  the  lonely  desert, 
Prompted  by  the  heart  of  night, 
Lisped  across  the  sandy  borders 
By  the  desert's  trailing  wind; 
Hymn  of  midnight  and  the  silence, 
Song  the  friendless  stars  intone, 
Sung  whene'er  the  tempest  hurtles, 
Bruits  destruction  to  the  world; 
Song  of  every  song  of  sorrow, 
Wail  for  every  grief  and  woe, 
World   affliction,  world  lamenting; 
Sorrow  of  the  lonely  desert; 

290 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Sadness  of  a  homeless  people; 

Anguish  of  a  chided  mortal, 

Hounded,  tracked,  oppressed,  and  beaten, 

Made  the  scourge  of  God  on  earth; 

Outcry  of  a  sinful  bosom 

Warring  with  his  guilt  and  wrong. 

'Tis  a  saintly  aspiration 

Of  a  holy  soul  in  prayer; 

'Tis  the  music  hummed  by  mercy, 

When  the  heart  is  touched  by  love. 

'Tis  the  welding  of  all  mercy, 

Love,  forgiveness,  in  a  union, 

Sweeping  o'er  the  span  of  ages, 

Flooding  earth  with  one  majestic, 

Universal  hymn  of  woe, 

As  if  God  had  willed  his  children 

Weep  in  but  one  human  strain. 

Who  can  hear  this  strange  Kol  Nidre 
Without  dropping  in  the  spell? 
Lift  the  vestige  of  the  present, 
Link  the  momentary  fleeting 
Of  the  evening  with  the  past; 
Dwell  a  spirit  in  the  ages, 
Living  in  the  heart  of  time: 
Lose  the  sense  of  outer  worlds, 
Soul  alone  in  endless  time, 
Breathing  but  the  breath  of  ages. 

JOSEPH  LEISER. 

Kip  pur 

QH,  thou  Eternal  and  Omnipotent! 

How  shall  thy  erring  children  come  to  Thee 
And  ask  for  peace?     Although  the  head  be  bent, 

Even  as  a  bulrush,  'tis  but  a  mockery 
If  the  dark,  sin-struck  heart  still  cling  to  earth; 

Still  make  its  idol  of  the  world's  frail  clay, 
And  the  pure  and  glorious  forget  its  birth 

Before  the  glittering  bubble  of  a  day. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Or  if  a  spark  of  hatred  linger  still 
Against  a  brother,  sinful  though  he  be, 

Oh!  Thou  in  Heaven,  how  shall  we  come  to  Thee? 
Vain  are  the  words  that  spring  with  empty  sound 

While  the  insensate  heart  betrays  no  wound, 

And  we  are  slaves  unto  our  stubborn  will. 

But  if,  oh,  Thou  eternal  God  of  love, 

If  we  perchance,  find  favor  in  Thy  sight, 
Guide,  us  oh,  Holy  One !  from  this  our  night 

And  grant  remission  from  thy  courts  above. 

Low  in  the  dust  we  mourn  the  fatal  sin 

That  hath  beguiled  our  souls  from  the  true  path. 
Oh,  deal  not  on  our  heads  thy  fearful  wrath  ; 

Forgive  the  past  and  grant  us  strength  to  win 
The  glorious  prize  of  immortality, 
The  bliss  to  dwell  forevermore  with  thee. 

We  are  thy  children — let  our  prayers  arise 

Like  the  sweet  incense  of  a  sacrifice, 

And  from  this  day  henceforward  let  us  be 

Bound  by  love's  holiest  ties,  our  God,  to  Thee. 

REBEKAH  HYNEMAN. 


Day  of  Atonement 

HTHIS  day  sublime  elect,  my  God,  to  Thee 

Is  gift  so  grand 
That  on  this  morn  of  grace  from  sin  set  free, 

I  pleading  stand 

Before  Thy  holy  dwelling  place 
Where  light  and  beauty  interlace. 
Oh,  that  the  priceless  power  were  mine 
To  glorify  Thy  throne  divine ! 

ANONYMOUS. 


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THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Yom  Kippur 

Q   LORD  of  Hosts,  Thou  Only  One, 
^^     Art   radiant   in  star  and   sun, 
"Thy  Will  be  done!" 

All  life  is  Thine  ere  life's  begun, 
All  life  is  Thine  when  life  is  run, 
"Thy  Will  be  done!" 

The  scarlet  thread  of  sin  is  spun, 
Forgive  us,  Gracious,  Holy  One, 
"Thy  Will  be  done!" 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 

Prayer  for  the  Day   of  Atonement 
(Yom  Kippur,  5662.) 

IF  I  have  failed,  my  God,  to  see 

*  That  Thy  great  Love  was  guiding  me; 

If  I  have  missed  the  open  path 

Of  Truth,   which  e'er  Thy  sanction   hath; 

If,  busy  with  the  passing  hour, 

I  noted  not  Thy  glorious  Power; 

And,  'mid  the  boast  and  pomp  of  things, 

Restrained  my  spirit  on  its  wings; 

Then,  Father,  show  me  Grace  I  pray, 

And  lead  me  toward  the  righteous  way; 

Then,  Lord  of  Hosts,  compassion  me, 

And  let  Thy  Love  my  shelter  be! 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 

Yom  Kippur 

TO  Thee  we  give  ourselves  today, 
Forgetful  of  the  world  outside; 
We  tarry  in  Thy  House,  O  Lord, 
From  eventide  to  eventide. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

From  Thy  all-seeing,  righteous  eye 
Our  deepest  heart  can  nothing  hide; 

It  crieth  up  to  Thee  for  peace 
From  eventide  to  eventide. 

Who  could  endure,  should'st  Thou,  O  Lord, 

As  we  deserve,  forever  chide? 
We  therefore  seek  Thy  pardoning  grace 

From  eventide  to  eventide. 

O  may  we  lay  to  heart  how  swift 
The  years  of  life  do  onward  glide; 

So  learn  to  live  that  we  may  see 
Thy  light  at  our  life's  eventide. 

GUSTAV  GOTTHEIL. 


The  White  and  Scarlet  Thread 
The  Message  of  the  Atonement 

""TURN,  O  Israel,  turn  and  live; 

Thought  to  thread  of  warning  give. 
Lo!  the  solemn  hour  is  here. 
May  the  thread  be  white  and  clear 
Though  deep  sin  the  conscience  darken. 
Sinner,  pray  and  God  will  hearken. 

ANONYMOUS. 


After  Yom  Kip  pur 

""THE  great  white  fast!   the  day  that  solemnly 
•*•     Its  clarion-call  sent  over  land  and  sea, 
In  gracious  summons  of  the  Voice  Divine; 
That  bade  the   soul   before   truth's  inner  shrine, 
Clad  in  the  whiteness  of  humility, 
Itself  disrobed  of  all  externals  be; — 
What  mandate  gave  the  day  to  you  and  me? 

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THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

It  is  the  judgment  day  of  all  the  year! 

Unmasked,  life's  vices  hideously  appear, 

As  conscience  struggles  with  its  deadly  fear; 

With  introspection's  force  by  memory  driven, 

We  find  the  flower-strewn  path  led  far  from  heaven. 

At  cost  of  highest  aims  flung  in  the  dust, 

We  have  been  faithless,  merciless,  unjust. 

As  by  Thy  shrines  of  prayer,  devout  we  stood, 

Throbbed  heart  with  will-power's  love  of  brotherhood  ? 

With  invocations  to  Thy  holy  name, 

Looked  we  beyond  reward  of  earthly  fame? 

Dared  we  Thy  present  inspiration  seek, 

With  might  of  gold's  oppression  'gainst  the  weak? 

The  glowing  friendship,  as  a  meteor's  flight, 

Lost  in  the  storm  depths  of  swift  falling  night; 

O'er  all  the  beautiful,  cast  worldly  blight. 

Shall  the  reverberating  call  in  vain 

Echo  throughout  the  awaiting  world's  domain? 

Nor  summon  Israel  from  lethargic  sleep, 

In  broader  fields,  on  grander  heights  to  reap? 

The  Past  is  o'er;  has  justice  entered  in 
The  awakened  conscience?  and  the  worldly  din 
Died  into  silence  'neath  the  voice  of  God? 
Know  we  the  wherefore  of  the  chastening  rod? 
That  mercy's  tenderness  our  hearts  enshrine 
Are  we  uplifted  to  the  heights  divine? 
Cleansed  from  the  idol  worship  of  our  pride, 
White  robed  humility  be  teaching  guide; 
And  Israel's  heart  of  kinship  link  the  hands, 
Of  the  compassionate  throughout  all  lands. 
The  righteousness  of  freedom,  understood 
Bind  all  of  life  in  one  vast  brotherhood. 

CORA  WILBURN. 
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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 
Palms  and  Myrtles 

(Hymn  for  the  First  Day   of   Tabernacles) 

T^HY  praise,  O  Lord,  will  I  proclaim 
•*•     In  hymns  unto  Thy  glorious  name; 
O  Thou  Redeemer,  Lord  and  King, 
Redemption  to  Thy  faithful  bring! 
Before  thine  altar  they  rejoice 

With  branch  of  palm  and  myrtle-stem, 
To   Thee   they   raise   the   prayerful   voice — 
Have  mercy,  save  and  prosper  them. 

May'st  Thou  in  mercy  manifold, 
Dear  unto  Thee  Thy  people  hold, 
When  at  Thy  gate  they  bend  the  knee, 
And  worship   and   acknowledge   Thee 
Do  thou  their  hearts'  desire  fulfil; 

Rejoice  with  them  in  love  this  day, 
Forgive  their  sins,  and  thoughts  of  ill, 

And  their  transgressions  cast  away. 

They  overflow  with  prayer  and  praise 
To  Him,  who  knows  the  future  days. 
Have  mercy  Thou,  and  hear  the  prayer 
Of  those  who  palms  and  myrtles  bear. 
Thee  day  and  night  they  sanctify 

And  in  perpetual  song  adore, 
Like  the  heavenly  host,  they  cry, 

"Blessed  art  Thou  for  evermore." 

ELEAZAR  KALIR. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 

The  Tabernacle 

(Leviticus   xxxiii.,    33-43) 

T    ET  us  build  to  the  Lord  of  the  earth  in  each  place 
*-*  The  Tent,  which  His  glorious  presence  will  grace. 
'Twill  be  hallowed  with  light  that  descends  from  on 
high, 

296 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

n 

Where  the  prayers  and  the  praises  are  heard  thro'  the 

sky. 

'Tis  the  time  when  the  beauty  of  earth   is  fulfilled, 
And  the  stars  all  look  down  on  the  Tent  that  we  build ; 
When  the  moon  in  her  robing  of  silver  attire, 
Approaches  in  silence,  the  sun's  crimson  fire! 
All  the  splendour  of  heaven,  the  beauties  of  earth, 
Exult  in  the  love  that  has  given  them  birth ! 
The  boughs  of  thick  trees  with  their  leaves  all  entwine, 
Round  the  delicate  stems  of  the  Myrtle  and  Vine; 
The  Palm  trees  are  clasping  the  Willows  with  joy, 
A  rapture  that  death  cannot  change  or  destroy; 
Each  tree  that  was  bearing  its  fruit  o'er  the  land, 
Owes  renewal  of  life,  to  the  One  mighty  hand! 
Its  exquisite  beauty  enchanting  our  sight, 
One  thought  has  created,  for  taste  and  delight. 
Choice  flowers  in  manifold  colours  and  scent, 
Adorn  the  frail  walls  of  the  gorgeous  built  tent; 
Where  "showers  of  blessings"  from  promise  divine, 
Replete  with  His  mandates,  eternally  shine! 
Now  twilight  glides  gently  o'er  trees,  fruit  and  flower; 
And  fragrant  the  breath  of  the  exquisite  bower. 
The  lamps  that  were  burning,  are  fast  growing  dim, 
While  angels  have  enter'd,  and  chant  a  soft  hymn; 
'Tis  the  music  of  heaven !  their  voices  ascending, 
In  tones  most  celestial,  with  praises  are  blending. 
The  trees  are  all  trembling  with  joy,  and  the  Rose 
Has  awaken'd  to  see  where  the  angels  repose  ; 
But  they  folded  their  wings  all  impervious  thro'  night, 
And  vanish'd  ere  dawn  spread  her  roseate  light! 

ROSE  EMMA  COLLINS. 


Succoth 

\JT7HAT  offerings  can  we  bring  Thee,  Lord  ? 

Thy  ruined  Temple  stands  forlorn; 
Its  stones  are  level  with  the  sward 
Or  alien  altars  now  adorn. 

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And   bitter    desolation   stills 

The  lowings  of  the  stately  herds, 
The  bleatings  on  a  hundred  hills, 

The  shepherds'  songs  of  joyous  words. 
No  fields  of  corn  or  luscious  vines 

Thy  people's  toiling  hands  engage, 
And  from  the  Ghetto's  dark  confines 

They  make  no  holy  pilgrimage 
To  bring  their  offerings  to  Thy  shrine 

With  sound  of  tabret  and  of  lute; 
They  pour  a  draught  of  bitter  wine 

And  lay  before  Thee  Dead  Sea  fruit ! 
Oh,  give  us  back  our  fathers'  days, 

The  land  they  trod  in  festive  glee, 
When  harvestings  were  acts  of  praise 

And  best  ripe  fruits  were  gifts  to  Thee! 

M.  M. 

A  Tabernacle  Thought 

J    OVELY  grapes  and  apples, 
*— '       And  such  pretty  flowers, 
Blooming  in  the  Succah 

That  in  the  backyard  towers. 

Green  leaves  for  the  ceiling 

Sift  the  sun  and  shade 
To  a  pretty  pattern 

As  in  forest  glade. 

Cool  retreat  and  dainty 

For  a  little  child, 
Toddling  in,  by  prospect 

Of  its  joys  beguiled. 

Round  he  casts  his  blue  eyes, 

Stretches  hand  in  haste; 
Darling  baby,  all  this 

Just  is  to  his  taste. 

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THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

But  soon  his  eyes  brim  over 

As  with  sudden  tears, 
Ah,  he  learns  the  lesson 

Of  the  coming  years. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 


A  Succoth  Hymn 

OR  garnered  fields  and  meadows  cropped 

And   orchards   plucked   of   peach   and   pear- 
Lord,  what  Thy  hand  has  given  us, 

For  this  we  bring  our  grateful  prayer. 

To  Thee  we  come  with  hearts  made  glad : 
For  wheat  that  is  our  staff  and  stay; 

For  oats  and  rye  that  caught  the  glint 
Of  sunset  on  a  summer's  day. 

With  face  upturned  in  sun  and  rain, 
And  stout  resolves  to  do  our  task — 

O  Lord,  who  gives  to  each  his  due, 
Thy  blessings  for  these   do  we  ask: — 

That  never  faltering,  though  our  arms 
Were  weary  and  and  our  spirits  spent; 

That  bravely  we  endured  the  toil 
And  anguish  that  the  seasons  sent; 

We  thank  Thee,  yea,  for  throbs  of  Love 

That  glorify  each  earth-born  soul, 
And  link  all  pulsing  hearts  to  Thee 

In  one  vast,  universal  whole. 

JOSEPH  LEISER. 


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Simchas  Torah 
(The  Rejoicing  of  the  Law) 

«C IMCHAS-TORAH !  skip  and  hop 

On  your  feet  till  down  you  drop! 
In  your  mouth  a  merry  jest — 
And  a  burden  in  your  breast." 

(Old   Song.) 

So  frisky  and  fit, 
At  table  we  sit, 
We  eat  what  we  choose, 
We  drink  and  are  gay. 
Sing,  brother  Jews, 
Be  merry  today! 
Cup  after  cup — 
Drink  it  all  up 
No  need  to  fear. 
Lift  up  your  voice, 
To-day  we  rejoice, 
Sing  brothers  dear. 

Alas,  Jewish  singing! 

And  alas!  Jewish  gladness, 

What  means  it;  O  tell  me, 

And  whence  is  the  sadness 

That  weighs  on  my  heart  when  I  hear. 

I  hang  down  my  head 

Like  a  child  that  is  chidden. 

And  oft,  ere  I  know  it, 

Uncalled  for,  unbidden, 

Falls  bitter  and  burning, 

A  tear! 

Not  always  with  sorrow 
Our  hopes  are  requited; 
And  often  the  sunshine 

300 


THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

Has  brightened  our  way. 

We  once  were  a  nation 

Both  strong  and  united, 

And  yet,  O  my  brothers, 

And  yet,  to  this  day 

We  keep  not  one  feast  day 

But  still  doth  remind  us 

Of  swords  that  lie  shivered 

And  broken  behind  us. 

And  old  tattered  banners, 

Now  useless  and  furled, 

Of  all  our  dead  heroes, 

Our  great  ones  who  perish, 

The  altars  forgotten, 

The  ruins  uncherished. 

And  scattered  abroad  o'er  the  world 

No  song  but  contains  but 

Two  words  of  rejoicing, 

In  which  we  discern  not 

The  jesting  below, 

An  echo  of  laughter, 

Of  false  bitter  laughter, 

A  cry  half-despairing 

Of  shame  and  of  woe!  .  .  . 

O    great   and    happy    feast-day,    Simchas-Torah ! 

High  above  your  head  thy  bright  star  flashes 
To  win  such  a  feast-day,  one  such  feast-day, 

Ten  we  spend  fasting  in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 

MORRIS  RpSENFELD. 


Simchas  Tor  ah 

T    ECHAYIM,  my  brethren,  Lechayim,  I  say! 

Health,  peace  and  good  fortune  I  wish  you  to-day. 
To-day  we  have  ended  the  Torah  once  more, 
To-day  we  begin   it   anew  as  of  yore. 
Be  thankful  and  glad  and  the  Lord  extol, 
Who  gave  us  the  Law  on  its  parchment  scroll. 

301 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Torah  has  been  our  consolation, 

Our  help  in  exile  and  sore  privation. 

Lost  have  we  all  we  were  wont  to  prize, 

Our  holy  temple  a  ruin  lies. 

Laid  waste  is  the  land  where  our  songs  we  sung; 

Forgotten  our  language,  our  mother  tongue; 

Of  kingdom  and  priesthood  are  we  bereft, 

Our  faith  is  our  only  treasure  left. 

God  in  our  hearts,  the  Law  in  our  hands, 

We  have  wandered  sadly  through  many  lands; 

We  have  suffered  much,  yet  behold  we  live 

Through  the  comfort  the  Law  alone  can  give. 

Come,  my  dear  brethren,  come,  let  us  look! 

Quick  let  us  ope  an  historical  book! 

See,  all  the  tales  and  the  chronicles  old, 

They  tell  but  of  robbers  and  bandits  bold. 

World-wide  is  the  scene  of  our  story,  and  still 

'Tis  traced  with  a  sword-point  instead  of  a  quill; 

The  ink  is  of  blood,  mixed  with  tears  of  distress, 

In  exile,  not  Leipzig  it  passed  through  the  press; 

No  gilding  it  shows,  and  in  iron  'tis  bound, 

Where  we  met  not  with  suffering  and  fierce  oppression 

For  the  sake  of  the  Torah,  our  sole  possession. 

In  the  very  beginning,  a  long  time  ago, 

We  held  up  our  heads  with  the  best,  as  you  know; 

When  householders  sitting  at  home  we  were, 

Nor  needed  the  strangers'  meal  to  share. 

May  none  have  to  bear  at  the  hands  of  men 

What  we  from  our  neighbors  have  borne  since  then. 

How  bitter  alas!  was  the  lot  we  knew 

When  our  neighbours  to  our  landlords  grew. 

And  we  were  driven  by  fate  unkind 

Our  lodgings  beneath  their  roof  to  find. 

How  did  we  live  then  ?     How  did  we  rest  ? 

Ask  not,  I  pray  you,  for  silence  is  best  ; 

Like  cabbage  heads,  hither  and  thither  that  fall, 

With  the  holy  Law  we  traversed  through  all. 

302 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Two  thousand  years,  a  little  thing  when  spoken, 

Two  thousand  years,  tormented,  crushed  and  broken, 

Seven  and  seventy  dark  generations; 

Filled  up  with  anguish  and  lamentations. 

Their  tale  of  sorrow  did  I  unfold 

No  Simchas  Torah  today  we'd  hold. 

And  why  should  I  tell  it  you  all  again? 

In  our  bones  'tis  branded  with  fire  and  pain. 

We  have  sacrificed  all.    We  have  given  our  wealth, 

Our  homes,  our  honors,  our  land  and  our  health. 

Our  lives — like  Hannah  her  children  seven — 

For  the  sake  of  the  Torah  that  came  from  Heaven. 

And  now  what  next?     Will  they  let  us  be? 
Have  the  nations  then  come  at  last  to  see 
That  we  Jews  are  men  like  the  rest,  and  no  more 
Need  we  wander  homeless  as  hithertofore. 
Abused  and  slandered  wherever  we  go! 
Ah !  I  cannot  tell  you,  but  this  I  know 
That  the  same  God  still  lives  in  heaven  above, 
And  on  earth  the  same  Law,  the  same  Faith,  that  we 
love. 

Then  fear  not,  and  weep  not,  but  hope  in  the  Lord 

And  the  sacred  Torah,  his  holy  word. 

Lechayim,  my  brother,  Lechayim,  I  say. 

Health,  peace  and  good  fortune  I  wish  you  to-day, 

To-day  we  have  ended  the  Torah  once  more, 

To-day  we  begin  it  again  as  of  yore. 

Be  thankful  and  glad  and  the  Lord  extol, 

Who  gave  us  the  Law  on  its  parchment  scroll. 

J.  L.  GORDON. 

Simchas  Torah 

rULL  oft  has  the  ark  been  opened 

And  in  the  sad  procession, 

Our  Fathers  bore  the  sacred  Law 

Their  one  most  dear  possession. 

303 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

While  unto  the  foe  abandoned 

To  ravish  and  to  spoil, 
They  left  their  rich  and  plenteous  store, 

The  fruits  of  a  life  of  toil. 

And  into  the  regions  unfathomed 
They  bore  the  precious  scroll, 

To  shield  it  or"  to  die  for  it, 
To  pay  the  exile's  toll. 

Yet  in  to-day's  pageant  procession 
Of  banner  and  scroll  and  light, 

The  Jew  clasps  tight  the  self-same  Law 
He  bore  through  oppression's  night. 

Rejoice  then,  O  Israel!     Thy  praise 

Unto  thy  Maker  give. 
No  more  the  Torah  bids  thee  die; 

To-day  it  bids  thee  live ! 

To  live  for  it,  and  to  cherish 

Each  sacred  memory, 
Which  time  has  woven  in  a  crown 

Of  glory  unto  thee. 

Let  revelry  hold  its  sway,  then, 
And  the  hour  be  given  to  cheer; 

For  the  cycle  of  reading  i's  ended 
On  the  happiest  day  of  the  year. 

And  lest  the  mocker,  derisive, 

Avow  you   delight  to  be  through, 

Lovingly  wind  it  from  end  to  start; 
Begin  to  read  it  anew. 

C.  DAVID  MATT. 


304 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


Judas  Maccabeus 

V/ICTOR  of  God!     O  thou  whose  lamp  of  Fame 

Fed  with  the  fire  of  immortality, 
Doth   swing,    triumphant,    'cross   the   glooming   sea 

Of  Time !     Preserver  of  thy  Country's  name ! 

Judas,  whose  heart  and  arm  were  as  a  flame 
To  burn  and  burst  the  chains  of  slavery, 
And  rage  about  the  witching  upas-tree 

Of  Grecian  glamour  and  of  Grecian  shame! 

Soul   of   th'   undying   dead !     Arise,   and   hear 
The  troubled  cry  of  Israel  that  comes, 
And  quivers  o'er  his  fathers'  ancient  tombs, 

And  perishes  in  night  of  Doubt  and  Fear ; 

While  East  and  West  voice  self-shaped  destinies, 

Come,  Great  Deliverer,  arise!  arise! 

HENRY  SNOWMAN. 


The  Maccabean 

of  Fate,  or  by  the  hand  of  man, 
His  hallowed  soul  glows  still  the  ages  through ; 
Their  flux  the  body  changes,  hue  on  hue, 
But,  brooding  Ivanese  or  quick  American, 
His  heart  must  answer  to  the  Yaweh-clan 

When  thrills  its  call  the  earth  or  cracks  the  blue, 
His  spirit  leaps  onto  the  fray  anew, 
As  when  he  shamed  Olympus  with  his  ban. 

Not  his  is  it  to  lag  in  the  world-war 
Nor  to  question  whether  he  live  or  die, 

And  though  his  soul  and  sense  red  strife  abhor, 
His  task  forever  is  to  purify. 

Behold  the  standard  that  of  old  he  bore 
Flash  like  the  sun  into  the  clouded  sky. 

HORACE  M.  KALLEN. 


305 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Maccabean  Call 

of  dense  darkness,  stress  of  the  ages, 
Flashes  a  star  conquering  night; 
Visions  of  seers,  path  guide  of  sages, 
Portent  of  dawn's  purpled  glad  light. 

Names  one  all  heroes  men  would  remember 
Leaders  of  hosts,  battling  for  right: — 

Quenches  their   glory's   flickering  ember 
Glow  of  that  star's  intenser  might. 

Hammer  of  prophet,  despot  defying, 
Banner  with  God's  lettered  signs, 

Priest  and  true  soldier  sends  he  aflying, 
Chaff  like  the  king's  cowardly  lines. 

Slingshot  and  bowstring,  buckler  and  lances 
David  of  old  wielded  with  skill — 

Harpstring  as  sweetly  toning  glad  dances 
Woke  he  to>  echo  silv'ry  rill. 

Judah's  last  lion,  David's  sole  better, 
Sword  and  the  harp  equally  knew, 

Psalming  his  faith's  music  and  letter, 
Joying  light's  birth  song,  melody  new. 

Judah,  thou  hero,  song  still  inspiring, 

Wilt  thou  not  rout  this  weak  day's  doubt? 

Israel,  martyr,  newly  aspiring, 

Raise  thou  again  Maccabee's  shout. 

What  if  barbed  arrows  black  hatred  hurling, 
Unsheaths  the  sword  Syrians  once  drew, 

Wave  not  the  flag,  God's  sign  unfurling, 
Judah  the  Hammer's  purpose  still  true? 

Choir  not  the  ages,  boldly  defying 
Tyrants'  and  bigots'  hoarse  battle-cry, 

Singing  this  one  song,  surely  relying 
Mi  Kamokha  Baelim  Adhonay? 

306 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Up  Thou  and  shine  forth,  thy  light  unhidden 
Must  rally  round  thee,  livers  of  right! 

Cleanse  thou  thy  temple,  All  men  be  bidden 
Join  thee,  God's  Priest,  at  thy  altared  light ! 

EMIL  G.  HIRSCH. 


The  Maccabees 

\Y7HEN  you  tell  of  Israel's  heroes,  those  who  lived 
in  days  of  old, 

Sing  aloud  the  well-earned  praises  of  the  Maccabees 
so  bold; 

Men  who  never  shrank  from  danger,  fought  right 
nobly  for  their  God, 

Though  a  handful  'gainst  a  myriad,  though  their  life- 
blood  stained  the  sod. 

Though  so  great  the  odds  against  them,  never  feared 

they  mortal  foe, 
Fiercely  fighting  and  subduing  those  who  worked  their 

brethren  woe; 
Inspired  with  holy  zeal  were  they,  nought  could  quell 

their  spirits  brave, 
No  mercy  e'er  their  foemen  knew  and  no  quarter  Judas 

gave.  . 

Mayhap      their     war-cry — "Mi      Kamocha      Baelim 

Adonay" — 

Excited  all  to  courage  great,  animated  them  with  joy; 
"Who  is  like  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,"  they  sang  with 

reverent  love, 
With  their  lips  attuned  to  praises  for  the  God  who 

dwells  above. 

Oh,  heart-inspiring  shibboleth,  that  nerved  to  deeds  of 

glory 
The    tender   youth,    maturer   men,    as   well   as   sages 

hoary ! 

307 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

No   wonder   heathen,    senseless   gods   Israel's   worship 

could   not  gain, 
While    they    sang    in    joyful    harmony    that    glorious 

refrain ! 

Not  for  love  of  savage-warfare  fought  brave  Judas 

and  his  band — 
But   religion   true   and   holy,   those   they   loved,    their 

homes,  their  land, 
With  that  liberty  of  conscience  man  should  ever  yield 

to  man — 
These  the  Maccabees  desired — these  that  placed  them 

under  ban. 

Surely,  hist'ry  ne'er  recorded,  nor  has  poet  ever  sung, 
More   gallant   deeds,    I    trow,    than    these,    that   have 

down  the  ages  rung; 
Not  for  self  they  fought  so  bravely,   not  for  pelf  or 

sordid  gold, 
But  for  love  of  God  Almighty,  was  their  banner  e'er 

unrolled. 

Of  their  battles  and  their  vict'ries,  it  were  bootless  to 

relate — 
All   have   heard   their   wondrous   triumphs,    of    their 

great  and  glorious  fate; 
How  they  vanquished   foes  tyrannic,   how  they  won 

their  cause  at  length, 
How  they  kept  their  war-cry  ever  as  their  watchword 

and  their  strength. 

To  that  noble  band  all  honor  for  their  gallant  acts  of 

yore, 
For  their  high-born,  peerless  courage,  for  the  woes  they 

bravely  bore ! 
When  you  tell  of  Israel's  heroes,  those  who  lived  in 

days  of  old, 
Sing  aloud  the  well-earned  praises  of  the  Maccabees 

so  bold.  MIRIAM  MYERS. 

308 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


The  Banner  of  the  Jew 

YJT/'AKE,  Israel,  wake!     Recall  today 
The  glorious  Maccabean  rage, 
The  sire  heroic,  hoary-gray, 
His  five-fold  lion-lineage: 
The  Wise,  the  Elect,  the  Help-of-God, 
The  Burst-of-Spring,  the  Avenging  Rod. 

From  Mizpeh's  mountain-side  they  saw 
Jerusalem's  empty  streets,  her  shrine 

Laid  waste  where  Greeks  profaned  the  Law, 
With  idol  and  with  pagan  sign. 

Mourners  in  tattered  black  were  there, 

With  ashes  sprinkled  on  their  hair. 

Then  from  the  stony  peak  there  rang 

A  blast  to  ope  the  graves:   down  poured 

The  Maccabean  clan,  who  sang 
Their  battle-anthem  to  the  Lord. 

Five  heroes  lead,  and  following,  see, 

Ten  thousand  rush  to  victory! 

Oh,  for  Jerusalem's,  trumpet  now, 
To  blow  a  blast  of  shattering  power, 

To  wake  the  sleepers  high  and  low, 
And  rouse  them  to  the  urgent  hour! 

No  band  for  vengeance — but  to  save, 

A  million  naked  swords  should  wave. 

Oh,  deem  not  dead  that  martial  fire, 
Say  not  the  mystic  flame  is  spent! 

With  Moses'  law  and  David's  lyre, 
Your  ancient  strength  remains  unbent. 

Let  but  an  Ezra  rise  anew, 

To  lift  the  Banner  of  the  Jew! 

A  rag,  a  mock  at  first — ere  long, 

When  men  have  bled  and  women  wept, 

30Q 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

To  guard  its  precious  folds  from  wrong, 

Even  they  who  shrunk,  even  they  who  slept, 
Shall  leap  to  bless  it  and  to  save. 
Strike!  for  the  brave  revere  the  brave! 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 


The  Jewish  Mother  and  Her  Sons  Before 
Antiochus 

""FHE  sun  shone  bright  upon  a  kingly  throne 
A     Where,  clad  in  state,  there  sat  a  mighty  one, 
Courtiers    around    him    thronged — below,    a    mighty 

crowd 

Of  mingled  heads,  with  voices  low  and  loud, 
Swayed,  as  do  tresses  in  tempest  weather-tossed, 
By  winds  conflicting,  or  ships  to  safety  lost, 
Heaving  on  billowy  seas,  and  rudely  driven 
Now  here  and  there  yet  farther  from  a  haven. 

Thus  swayed  the  crowd,  gazing  with  awe-struck  mien, 
On  royalty,  clad  in  its  glorious  sheen, 
While  from  his  throne  Antiochus  grimly  smiled, 
Upon  that  sea  of  heads,  as  if  beguiled, 
To  see  so  many  slaves,  with  flattery  meek 
Waiting  to  know  what  his  one  will  might  seek. 
"Bring  of  her  seven  sons,"  he  fiercely  cried, 
And  cruel  shouts  arose  from  every  side. 

She  came,  tho'  deadly  pale,  yet  calm  her  face, 
And  sternly  graceful  her  majestic  pace, 
Supported  by  her  first  born  warrior  son, 
Of  all  her  braves,  the  bravest,  noblest  one. 
The  swaying  crowd  is  hushed  to  murmurs  low, 
"Wilt  thou  worship  the  King's  God  ?"     "By  my  fore- 
fathers, no!" 

Rose  on  the  air;  again  the  shouts  rise, 
Then  low  on  earth  the  martyr'd  soldier  lies, 

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THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

His  blood  flows  o'er  the  mother's  feet,  she  bends  in 

prayer ; 
Then  looks  on  her  heroic  band,  ah!    one  is  wanting 

there. 

Again   the  summons  came,   two  now  before  the  king 

In  manhood's  earliest  glories  stand  in  the  fatal  ring 

Alike  in  lineaments,  with  arms  entwined 

They  seem  two  forms,  in  but  one  soul  combined. 

"Wilt   bow,   stiff  necks?   bethink   ye  well,    'tis   death 

By  one  refusal."    "Our  God  has  given  us  breath, 

We  may  not  bow."     "Ah,  bind  them  on  the  wheel," 

The  King  cries  fiercely,  and  with  hearts  of  steel 

His  myrmidons  obey — by  her  sons'  side 

The   mother   stands,    hushing   the   anguish   tide 

Of  woe  too  deep  for  tears,  to  comfort  them, 

And  give  to  them  their  last  prayers,   her  soft  amen. 

"Wilt  now  receive  our  God?  methinks  thou  see'st 

Thine  in  thine  hour  of  danger  flee." 

But  feebly  with  joined  hands  the  upward  sign, 

The  sufferers  put  back;  and  so  they  died. 

Thus,  one  by  one,  three  others  rendered  up 

In  torture  drear,  life's  young  hope-jeweled  cup, 

Rather  than  to  profane  God's  jealous  right 

And  be  apostates  in  their  mother's  sight, 

But  one  was  left;  a  fair-haired,  blue-eyed  boy, 

The  household  idol,  and  his  mother's  joy. 

The  lad's  high  bearing  much  the  King  admired, 

And  of  this  bloody  sport  e'en  he  had  tired; 

He  told  the  child  of  death,  its  awful  pangs, 

Pictured  the  terror  that  around  it  hangs; 

Then  spoke  of  life,  its  joys,  hopes,  pleasures  new, 

Touching  on  things  the  brightest  to  the  view, 

But  the  mother's  look  pled  with  him  as  she  wept, 

And  the  brave  child  his  God's  commandment  kept. 

The  King  amazed  to  see  such  moral  strength 
In  one  so  young  would  go  to  any  length, 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

To  save  the  boy.     But  crowds  were  standing  'round 

The   raised   tribunal,   watching  without   sound 

This  moral  duel  'twixt  the  King  and  child 

With  admiration  and  excitement  wild. 

The  royal  word  must  not  be  humbled  now 

While  gaping  thousands  watch  to  see  him  bow; 

Some  act  of  homage  must  the  child  perform 

To  blind  the  crowd,  his  friends  or  foes  to  warn 

And  show  a  will  subdued.     "Boy,  I  would  save  thy 

life 

And  shield  thee  from  the  torturer's  cutting  knife. 
See!     I  but  drop  my  ring;  kneel,  hand  it  to  me 
And  this  small  act  shall  give  life  back  to  thee." 
The  child — boy  paused — this  act  was  but  a  right, 
An  homage  due  from  all  to  royal  might; 
But  looking  'round — his  friends  were  too  far  now 
To  hear  the  King's  last  words ;  but  they  could  see  him 

bow. 

Might  not  the  King  have  given  him  the  reprieve 
To  blind  the  many,  his  friends  to  deceive? 
Might  they  not  think  he  to  the  Idol  bowed  ? 
The  boy  turned  thoughtful  from  th'  admiring  crowd 
Towards  the  King, — firmly  refused  to  kneel 
For  fortune  or  for  any  weal. 

Where  was  the  mother  then?     Torn   from  her  boy 

away 

She  could  but  weep,  and  to  the  Almighty  pray. 
Oh!  who  could  tell  the  fear  and  agony, 
Lest  he  might  kneel,  and  that  she  was  not  nigh 
To  warn  him  of  the  tempter's  subtlety; 
But  when  he  turned,  refusing  to  obey, 
What  pure  meek  triumph  crown'd  her  queenly  brow! 
But  see  the  King  has  from  him  sternly  turned 
With  bitter  hate,  which  for  more  bloodshed  burned; 
Now  on  they  bear  him  to  the  fatal  place, 
While  sadness  troubled  e'en  the  torturer's  face, 
To  see  him  like  a  flower  so  rudely  torn, 
While  her  white  face  bent  o'er  him,  thin  and  worn. 

312 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

The  mother  knelt,  clasping  the  little  hand, 

Kissing  the  lips  that  grew  so  cold  and  wan; 

His  curls  dampened  in  death,  he  murmured  low, 

"Receive  my  soul !  oh !  God,  I  did  not  bow !" 

Then  bound  they  her  upon  that  cruel  place 

Where  smiling  lay  her  martyred  boy's  dead  face. 

She  prayed  awhile,  her  eyes  raised  high  above, 

An  eight- fold  crown  would  there  reward  her  love: 

"I  have  surpass'd  thee,  Abraham,"  triumphantly  she 

cried, 
"Thou   gavest  One,   I  seven   to   God!"     And  so  she 

died. 

R.  MANAHAN. 


A  Tale  From  the  Talmud 

IN  Juftah,  in  the  days  of  story, 

When  chronicles  were  gilt  with  glory, 
Heroic  dames  and  virgins  then 
The  equal  honors  earned  with  men ; 
And  God  himself  the  prophet  taught 
To  praise  and  bless  them  as  he  ought. 

My  heart  exults  to  contemplate, 

My  rhyme  runs  eager  to  relate 

Their  courage  firm,  their  high  resolve, 

Their  faith  that  nothing  could  dissolve. 

Oh,  that  enthusiasm  strong 

Would  from  the  theme  inspire  the  song; 

That  in  this  sad,  degenerate  time 

I'd  write  in  poetry  sublime — 

What  might  some  grace  of  emulation 

Raise  in  a  faint  and  prostrate  nation. 

I  leave  to  men  of  deeper  knowing 

The  task  of  God's  inerrant  showing; 

How  nature's  best  and  noblest  sons 

Are  cursed  and  crushed  by  worthless  ones; 

313 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

But  this  I  know,  that  virtues  holy 

Are  brightened  by  contrasting  folly, 

And  constant  courage  best  was  shown 

When  persecutors  had  the  throne, 

And  columns  high  had  ne'er  been  reared, 

Had  no  invading  foe  appeared ; 

And  when  to  desperate  straits  we're  brought, 

Then  God's  deliverance  is  wrought. 

When  Judah  by  the  Gentile  arms 
Had  seen  th'  extreme  of  war's  alarms, 
O'erthrown  her  temple  and  her  city, 
Her  children  slaughtered  without  pity; 
The  demon  conqueror  intended 
Her  name  and  fame  should  both  be  ended. 
He  thought  one  dreadful,  dire  example 
Of  horrid  torture  might  be  ample, 
Now  that  Jehovah'd  them  forsaken 
And  from  his  folk  his  flight  had  taken. 

One  matron  from  the  drove  he  chooses, 
Her  seven  sons  he  also  looses; 
In  public  presence  will  them  test, 
To  answer  his  supreme  behest. 

The  eldest,  he  him  sets  before; 

"Now,  bending  down,  our  gods  adore." 

"The  Lord  forbid,"  he  reverent  cries; 

"His  holy  law  such  act  denies. 

I  to  no  image — neither  thee — 

Shall  kiss  the  hand  nor  bend  the  knee." 

His  life  made  forfeit  then  was  taken — 
His  trust  in  Israel's  God  unshaken. 

The  next  that  sacred  household  cherished, 
Who  witnessed  how  his  brother  perished, 
At  once  responded:  "Shall  I  less 
Than  his  my  faith  in  God  confess  ? 

3H 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

I  love  God's  law — its  second  word 

Is  none  but  he  is  Israel's  Lord." 

And  so  he  died  for  truth  and  faith. 

The  third,  undaunted,  also  saith: 

"None  but  Jehovah  worship  I" — 

And  likewise  he  was  drawn  to  die. 

The  fourth  the  traitor's  awful  doom 

Sets  forth:  "Who  in  Jehovah's  room 

Shall  worship  hero,  god  or  demon" — 

His  young  life,  too,  the  sword  makes  claim  on. 

"Our  God  is  one,"  the  Scripture  saith, 
"And  him  alone  I'll  own  in  death." 
So  died  the  fifth ;  our  watchword  brave 
Fresh  courage  to  the  next  one  gave : 
"Jehovah — terrible  is  he 
Who,  Israel,  dwells  in  midst  of  thee; 
He  may  his  awful  plans  conceal, 
But  in  his  time  he'll  them  reveal." 
So  passed  the  youthful  sixth,  in  dying, 
"Jehovah,  take  me,"  meekly  sighing. 

Assuming  now  a  tender  mien 
The  tyrant  pleads:  "My  boy,  you've  seen 
How  vain  it  is  to  trust  in  one 
Who  utmost  unconcern  has  shown. 
'Tis  only  to  respect  our  law — 
I'd  put  your  countrymen  in  awe ; 
For  Rome,  supreme,  must  be  obeyed — 
Nor  gods  nor  emperor  gainsaid. 
The  test  from  thee's  a  simple  thing — 
In  front  of  Jove  I'll  drop  my  ring, 
Stoop  down  and  pick  it  up ;  no  thought 
Of  inferential  change  is  wrought." 

The  bright-cheeked  boy,  his  eyes  upturned, 
The  tyrant's  seeming  mercy   spurned; 
His  soul  kept  free  from  heathen  stains 
Breaks  forth  in  rapt  prophetic  strains : 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Forever  reigns  our  glorious  Lord — 
Performed  shall  be  his  faithful  word ; 
His  kingdom  raised,  while  ruined  thine 
He'll  to  oblivion  consign. 
As  chastened  Israel  suffers  now, 
So  shall  he  purer  offerings  vow. 
His  faith  in  days  that  have  gone  by 
Endear  him  to  his  God  most  high, 
And  future  glories  wait  the  day 
When  all  mankind  shall  own  his  sway; 

"But  thou  might'st  save  thy  soul  if  He 
Were  but  to  show  His  power  to  thee." 
He  thus  to  Chaldea's  king  made  known 
His  sovereign  Lord  and  God  alone. 
The  prostrate  king  the  word  obeyed 
And  favor  found  and  humbly  prayed. 
To  God's  own  folk  he  mercy  showed 
And  so  was  blessed  in  his  abode ; 
But  thou,  nor  truth  nor  mercy  giving, 
Are  but  for  greater  vengeance  living. 

"To  death !"  the  raging  tyrant  cries. 
Prevention  weak  the  mother  tries, 
With  arms  enfolding  makes  her  plea: 
"O  let  him  not  be  torn  from  me — 
My  seventh,  my  last,  my  life,  my  all! 
On  me  let  first  thy  vengeance  fall. 
Sword,  come  on  me,  nor  let  me  see 
The  death  of  one  so  dear  to  me !" 

"Nay,  nay,"  the  scoffer  made  reply, 
"Your  law  forbids  that  you  should  die; 
'Ye  dare  not  slay  the  dam  that  day 
Ye  take  the  offspring's  life  away.'  " 

"Thou  scourge  of  man,  thou  hand  of  God! 
Thy  sins  thy  guilty  soul  shall  load, 
Till  down  to  depths  thou  shalt  be  driven, 
Transcending  all  that  fell  from  heaven. 

316 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

But  go,  my  son,  when  Abra'm  thou 
In  blissful  peace  shalt  meet,  avow 
Superior  reverence  to  me — 
For  I  gave  seven,  but  one  gave  he — 
But  tempted  was  his  faith  when  tried, 
See  mine  performed — my  Isaacs  died. 

"What  shall  I  add  ?"    Her  reason  flown, 
Why  should  she  linger  here  alone — 
Wandering  unguarded,  heedless,  fell 
She  whom  her  Lord  had  honored  well.* 

Has  Judah  now  no  valiant  dame 
That  might  such  awful  honors  claim? 
For  answer:  In  my  northern  home 
You'll  see,  ere  wintry  weather  come, 
The  fields  the  cheery  flowers  adorn, 
Bejeweled  bright  at  early  morn ; 
Then  fierce  the  driving,  biting  storm 
Will  bare  the  meads  of  every  form 
That  spring  and  summer  spread  around 
So  lavish  on  the  fertile  ground. 
But  brightly  then  the  heather  bell 
Purple  the  hills  I  love  so  well. 
When  dangerous  foxgloves,  crimson  clover 
Lie  hid  till  winter  storms  are  over; 
The  bloom  upon  the  Arcadian  hills 
Is  blown  by  that  which  verdure  kills. 

If  Judah's  winter  comes  again, 
Her  hero  dames  shall  bloom  amain. 

WILLIAM  DEARNESS. 

Song  of  Judas  Maccabeus  Before  the 

Battle  of  M  asp  ha 

,  warriors  and  chiefs!  every  step  we  have  trod, 
Though  blood-stained  with  carnage  and  heaped 

with  the  slain, 
Bear  witness  we  fight  for  the  glory  of  God, 

Whose  aid  we  have  asked,  nor  entreated  in  vain. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Attest  it  your  armies,  whose  glittering  array 
At  noonday  outshown  in  his  splendor  the  sun, 

Attest  it  ye  proud  girded  warriors,  who  lay 
Unhonored  and  cold  when  the  battle  was  done. 

They  came  to  subdue  us,  Oh,  God  of  the  just! 

Thy  arm  was  our  shield,  Thy  protection  our  power, 
Still  aid  and  defend  us,  Oh,  Thou  whom  we  trust, 

In  prosperity's  pride  and  affliction's  dark  hour. 

When  we  cease  to  remember  the  martyrs,  whose  blood 
They  have  poured  out  like  water,  may  we  be  forgot ; 

When  we  cease  to   remember   the  fierce   pangs  they 

withstood, 
May  our  strength  be  derided,  our  memory  a  blot. 

Oh,  falter  not  when  their  fierce  glittering  host 

Comes   spreading    destruction    and    blight    o'er   the 

land; 

Remember  proud  Syrian,  how  vain  was  his  boast, 
And  firm  be  your  hearts  like  the  rocks  where  you 
stand. 

Then  on !  can  ye  waver  when  Heaven's  pure  light 
Smiles  approvingly  down  on  the  path  we  have  trod? 

On !  on !  be  it  victory  or  death !  ere  the  night 

We  have  conquered  or  died  for  the  glory  of  God. 

REBEKAH  HYNEMAN. 


The  Miraculous  Oil 

T    ITTLE  cruet  in   the  Temple 

That  dost  feed  the  sacrificial  flame, 
What  a  true  expressive  symbol 

Art  thou  of  my  race,  of  Israel's  fame! 
Thou  for  days  the  oil  didst  furnish 

To  illume  the  Temple  won  from  foe — 
So  for  centuries  in  my  people 

Spirit  of  resistance  ne'er  burnt  low. 

318 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

It  was  cast  from  home  and  country, 

Gloom  and  sorrow  were  its  daily  lot; 
Yet  the  torch  of  faith  gleamed  steady, 

Courage,  like  thy  oil,  forsook  it  not. 
Mocks  and  jeers  were  all  its  portion, 

Death  assailed  it  in  ten  thousand  forms — 
Yet  this  people  never  faltered, 

Hope,  its  beacon,  led  it  through  all  storms. 
Poorer  than  dumb,  driven  cattle, 

It  went  forth  enslaved  from  its  estate, 
All  its  footsore  wand'rings  lighted 

By  its  consciousness  of  worth  innate. 
Luckless  fortunes  could  not  bend  it ; 

Unjust  laws  increased  its  wondrous  faith; 
From  its  heart,  exhaustless  streaming, 

Freedom's  light  shone  on  its  thorny  path. 
Oil  that  burnt  in  olden  Temple, 

Eight  days  only  didst  thou  give  forth  light ! 
Oil  of  faith  sustained  this  people 

Through  the  centuries  of  darkest  night! 

CAROLINE  DEUTSCH. 

The  Feast  of  Lights 

1X1NDLE  the  taper  like  the  steadfast  star 

•^  Ablaze  on   evening's   forehead   o'er  the  earth, 

And  add  each  night  a  lustre  till  afar 

An  eightfold  splendor  shine  above  thy  hearth. 
Clash,  Israel,  the  cymbals,  touch  the  lyre, 

Blow  the  brass  trumpet  and  the  harsh-tongued  horn ; 
Chant  psalms  of  victory  till  the  heart  take  fire, 

The  Maccabean  spirit  leap  new-born. 

Remember  how  from  wintry  dawn  till  night, 
Such  songs  were  sung  in  Zion,  when  again 

On  the  high  altar  flamed  the  sacred  light, 
And,  purified  from  every  Syrian  stain, 

The  foam-white  walls  with  golden  shields  were  hung, 
With  crowns  and  silken  spoils,  and  at  the  shrine, 

319 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Stood,     midst    their    conqueror-tribe,     five    chieftains 

sprung 
From  one  heroic  stock,  one  seed  divine. 

Five   branches   grown   from    Mattathias'   stem, 

The  Blessed  John,  the  Keen-Eyed  Jonathan, 
Simon   the  fair,  the   Burst-of-Spring,   the  Gem, 

Eleazar,  Help  of  God ;  o'er  all  his  clan 
Judas   the    Lion-Prince,   the  Avenging   Rod, 

Towered  in  warrior-beauty,  uncrowned  king, 
Armed  with  the  breastplate  and  the  sword  of  God, 

Whose  praise  is:  "He  received  the  perishing." 

They  who  had  camped  within  the  mountain-pass, 

Couched  on  the  rock,  and  tented  'neath  the  sky, 
Who  saw  from  Mizpah's  height  the  tangled  grass 

Choke  the  wide  Temple-courts,  the  altar  lie 
Disfigured  and  polluted — who  had  flung 

Their  faces  on  the  stones,  and  mourned  aloud 
And  rent  their  garments,  wailing  with  one  tongue, 

Crushed  as  a  wind-swept  bed  of  reeds  is  bowed, 

Even  they  by  one  voice  fired,  one  heart  of  flame, 

Though  broken  reeds,  had  risen,  and  were  men, 
They  rushed  upon  the  spoiler  and  o'ercame, 

Each  arm  for  freedom  had  the  strength  of  ten. 
Now  is  their  mourning  into  dancing  turned, 

Their  sackcloth  doffed  for  garments  of  delight, 
Week-long  the  festive  torches  shall  be  burned, 

Music  and  revelry  wed  day  with  night. 

Still  ours  the  dance,  the  feast,  the  glorious  Psalm, 

The  mystic  lights  of  emblem  and  the  Word. 
Where  is  our  Judas?     Where  are  our  five-branched 
palm? 

Where  are  the  lion-warriors  of  the  Lord? 
Clash,  Israel,  the  cymbals,  touch  the  lyre, 

Sound  the  brass  trumpet  and  the  harsh-tongued  horn, 
Chant  hymns  of  victory  till  the  heart  take  fire, 

The  Maccabean  spirit  leap  new-born! 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 

320 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Chanukah  Hymn 

I    ORD,  the  true  that  follow  thee 
^       Beam  in  vict'ry's  radiant  light, 
Fill'd  their  hearts  with  joyous  glee, 
Even  in  the  darkest  night. 

Roaring  billows  wild  and  fleet, 
Onward  pressed  the  enemy's  band; 

Israel's  remnant  Jacob's  seat, 

How  wilt  thou  their  might  withstand? 

Rise  ye  heroes,  rise  to  fight 

For  your  standard,   truth  divine, 
Not  by  numbers  nor  by  might, 

By  his  spirit  ye  shall  shine. 

And  inspired  by  such  appeal 

Ev'ry  man  to  hosts  increased; 
And  they  fought  with  holy  zeal 

Till  the  tyrant-hold  released. 

Lord,  thy  truth,  thy  holy  love, 

Is  our  cherish'd  banner  still; 
And  in  faith  for  evermore, 

Thy  command  we  follow  will. 

ADOLPH  HUEBSCH. 

Golden  Lights  for, Chanukah 

C\  GOLDEN  lights,  shine  out  anew, 

^^      Shine  out  with  radiance  bright  and  true, 

While  gazing  on  your  golden  glow 

You  speak  to  me  of  long  ago. 

Of  patriots  who  shed  their  blood 

For  Israel's  cause,   for  faith,   for  God. 

Did  not  they  sacrifice  their  all 

When  clarion-like  there  came  the  call? 

"Whose  on  the  Lord's  side,  come  to  me, 

Lord  among  the  gods,  who  is  like  thee?" 

JANIE  JACOBSON. 

321 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Eight  Chanukah  Lights 

YEYITH  fervor  and  joy  we  give  thanks  to  the  Lord, 

And  glory  and  praise  to  His  name  we  accord, 
While  we  greet  with  great  gladness  this  glorious  night 
And  piously  kindle  each  Chanukah  light. 

To  God  who  is  one,  and  whose  name  is  but  one, 
We'll  ever  feel  grateful  for  what  He  has  done  ; 
When  all  our  race  was  as  dark  as  the  night 
Said  the  Guardian  of  Israel,  "Let  there  be  light!" 

The  Commandments  God  gave  to  our  nation  alone, 
Whose  words  were  engraved  on  two  tablets  of  stone; 
And   our   people   were   chosen,    with    zeal    and   with 

might, 
To  spread  through  the  world  the  great  heavenly  light. 

Our  fathers  most  nobly  have  striven  to  be 
As  true  to  their  God  as  the  patriarchs  three, 
Whose  faith  was  a  star  which  was  shining  so  bright 
That  the  gloom  of  the  world  was  illumed  by  its  light. 

Four  parts   of   the  world  —  north,   south,   west    and 

east — 

See  the  Israelites  keeping  the  Chanukah  feast, 
Who,  just  like  ourselves,  are  performing  the  rite 
Of  piously  kindling  each  Chanukah  light. 

The  five  Hasmoneans  whose  memory  dear 
The  sons  of  our  people  will  ever  revere, 
With  the  courage  of  heroes  did  fight  for  the  right, 
And  God's  Temple  they  cleansed  and  rekindled  the 
light. 

Six  days  we  must  labor  and  do  all  our  work, 
And  woe  unto  him  who  his  duty  doth  shirk! 
Though  the  battle  of  life  is  a  hard  one  to  fight, 
With  heaven's  assistance  our  task  is  made  lightt 

322 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

When  the  seventh   day  comes,  by  God  hallowed  and 

blest, 

We  should  joyfully  welcome  the  day  of  sweet  rest, 
For   our  lives   are   made    happy   and    rendered   more 

bright 
By  the  joys  of  the  Sabbath,  its  peace  and  its  light. 

May  the  eight  days  of  Chanukah  strengthen  our  mind 
To  continue  to  labor  for  God  and  mankind, 
Till  the  day  shall  arrive  when  all  men  will  unite 
To  serve  the  one  God  and  to  walk  in  His  light. 

ISIDORE  MYERS. 


Chanukah  Lights 


A    SINGLE  light  is  kindled  and  it  glows 
^"^       Upon  the  darkness  with  a  golden  ray — 
A  little  feeble  light,  but  yet  it  shows 

The  night  has  still  a  fraction  of  the  day. 

The  single  light  has  grown  to  two; 

The  friend  has  won  a  friend,  the  light 
Has  warmed  another  heart,  and  through 

One  fervor,  two  now  pierce  the  night. 

The  double  light  has  grown  to  three, 

That  brilliantly  illumes  the  eve ; 
Thus  ever  shall  bright  constancy 

The  fruits  of  faithfulness  receive! 

Three  little  lights  have  grown  to  four; 

How  softly,  sweetly  do  they  shine. 
Their  grace  on  all  dark  places  pour 

A  reflex  of  the  light  divine! 

Behold,  the  lights  have  grown  to  five! 

So  courage  grows  in  hearts  that  trust 
God's  mercy,  who  will  keep  alive 

His  children,  though  they  be  but  dust. 

323 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

At  last,  the  wondrous  lights  are  eight, 
To  six  the  little  lamps  have  grown; 

In  happy  company  they  shed 
Their  brightness.     None  need  stand  alone 

Who  by  the  light  of  God  are  led. 

Thus  shall  God's  purpose  reach  its  goal. 


Anon,  the  lights  have  grown  to  seven, 

Behold,  the  night  is  as  the  day! 
So  can  this  earth  grow  like  to  Heaven, 

If  men  will  walk  in  Heaven's  way. 
He  lifts  man  from  his  low  estate 

And  breathes  new  hope  into  his  soul. 

M.  M. 


Chanukah  Lights 

\/OU  see  these  slender  tapers  standing  there 
•*•     Like  Lilliputians  wrestling  with  the  air, 
In  yellow  garb,  that  strange  suggestive  hue 
Of  tragic  reminiscence  to  the  Jew? 

These  tiny  lights  have  struggled  thus  for  years; 
Though  often  bathed  in  blood  and  drenched  in  tears, 
They  flicker  still — It  seems  no  mortal  might 
Can  crush  God's  great  miracle  of  light. 

This  little  group  of  torches  came  to  show 

The  hiding  place  of  Heaven  here  below; 

By  lighting  every  corner  of  the  earth, 

They  see  and  preach  life's  meaning  and  its  worth. 

Though  weak  and  few  they  caused  the  very  heart 
Of  all  humanity  to  stir,  and  gave  the  start 
To  God's  most  sacred  truths;  Indeed  proclaim 
His  Fatherhood,  His  purpose  and  His  name. 

324 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Yea,  Israel,  it  is  Thy  fate  to  fight 
In  darkened  corners  and  to  shed  the  light 
Till  all  the  world  at  last  has  learned  to  see 
Its  way  to  God  and  immortality. 

HAROLD  DEBREST, 


Chanukah  Lights 

I  KINDLED  my  eight  little  candles, 
*     My  Chanukah-candles — and  lo! 
Fair  visions  and  dreams  half- forgotten 
To  me  came  of  years  long  ago. 

I  musingly  gazed  at  my  candles; 

Meseemed  in  their  quivering  flames 
In  golden,  in  fiery  letters 

I  read  the  old  glorious  names, 

rV-/ 

The  names  of  our  heroes  immortal, 
The  noble,  the  brave,  and  the  true, 

A  battle-field  saw  I  in  vision 

Where  many  were  conquered  by  few. 

Where   trampled   in   dust  lay   the  mighty, 

Judea's  proud  Syrian  foe ; 
And  Judas,  the  brave  Maccabaeus, 

In  front  of  his  army  I  saw. 

His  eyes  shone  like  bright  stars  of  heaven, 
Like  music  rang  out  his  strong  voice : 

''Brave  comrades,  we  fought  and  we  conquered, 
Now  let  us,  in  God's  name,  rejoice! 

"We  conquered — but  know,  O  brave  comrades, 
No  triumph  is  due  to  the  sword! 

Remember  our  glorious  watchword, 

Tor  People  and  Towns  of  the  Lord !' ' 

325 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

He  spoke,  and  from  all  the  four  corners 

An  echo  repeated  each  word ; 
The  woods  and  the  mountains  re-echoed: 

"For  People  and  Towns  of  the  Lord!" 

And  swiftly  the  message  spread,  saying: 

"Judea,  Judea  is  free, 
Re-kindled  the  lamp  in  the  Temple, 

Re-kindled  each  bosom  with  glee!" 
*  *  *  *  * 

My  Chanukah-candles  soon   flickered, 
Around  me  was  darkness  of  night; 

But  deep  in  my  soul  I  felt  shining 
A  heavenly-glorious  light. 

P.  M.  RASKIN. 

Legendary  Lights 

C\  THE  legendary  light, 

^^9   Gleaming  goldenly  in  night 

Like  the  stars  above, 
Beautiful,  like  lights  in  dream, 
Eight,  the  taper-flames  that  stream 
All  one  glory  and  one  love. 

In  our  Temple,  magical — 
Memories,  now  tragical — 
Holy  hero-hearts  aflame 
With  a  glory  more  than  fame; 
There  where  a  shrine  is  every  sod, 

Every  grave,  God's  golden  ore, 
With  a  paean  whose  rhyme  to  God, 

Lit  these  lamps  of  yore. 

Lights,  you  are  a  living  dream, 
Faith  and  bravery  you  beam, 

Youth  and  dawn  and  May. 
Would  your  beam  were  more  than  dream, 
Would   the  light  and  love  you  stream, 

Stirred  us,  spurred  us,  aye! 

326 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Fabled  memories  of  flame, 
Till  the  beast  in  man  we  tame, 
Tyrants  bow  to  truth,  amain, 
Brands  and  bullets  yield  to  brain, 
Guns  to  God,  and  shells  to  soul, 
Hounds  to  heart  resign  the  role, 
Pillared  lights  of  liberty, 
In  your  fairy  flames,  we'll  see 
Faith's  and   freedom's  Phoenix-might, 
The  Omnipotence  of  Right. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


Chanukah 

OWN-TRODDEN  'neath  the  Syrian  heel 

Did  Zion's  sceptre  lie; 
Her  shrine,  where  once  God's  glory  flung 
Its  radiance,  now  wildly  rung 
With  pagan  revelry. 

And  in  the  Temple's  secret  place, 
Where  once  the  High  Priest  bowed 

In  homage  to  the  King  of  kings, 

The  vilest  of  all  earthly  things 
Was  worshipped  by  the  crowd. 

And  still  the  flaming  altar  smoked, 

The  priest  was  at  his  post, 
Commanding  Israel's  sons  to  pray 
To  images  of  stone  and  clay, 

Or  swell  the  holocaust. 

Seven  glorious  brethren  there  had  stood, 

Unflinching,   side  by  side, 
And,  sooner  than  yield  up  their  faith, 
Had  dared  the  faggot's  burning  breath, 

And  willing  martyrs  died. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Not  unavenged  and  not  in  vain 

Fell  that  undaunted  race; 
For  Judas,  with  his  patriot  band, 
Drove  the  oppressors  from  the  land, 

And  cleansed  the  holy  place. 

Then  the  Menorah  once  again 

Illumed  the  holy  shrine, 
One  little  flask  of  sacred  oil, 
Saved  unpolluted  from  the  spoil 

Supplied  the  light  divine. 

Full   twenty  centuries  have  rolled 

The  gulf  of  Time  adown, 
Since   those   heroic    Maccabees, 
The  victims  of   Epiphanes, 

Assumed  the  martyr's  crown. 

And  still  the  Festival  of  Lights 

Recalls  those  deeds  of  yore 
That  make  our  history's  page  sublime 

And  live  for  evermore. 

MARION   HARTOG. 


Chanukah   In  Russia, 

GET  high  the  light  where  all  may  see — 

The  flame  that  since  two  thousand  years 
Has  burned — now  dim  with  misery. 

A  light  of  mourning  it  appears; 
Stand  firm !  still  flows  the  cruse  divine, 
Our  star  with  dazzling  ray  shall  shine. 

Raise  up  the  flag!     Our  doubting  hearts 
Too  long  have  kept  it  closely  furled  ; 

Meekness    and    fear    have    played    their    parts, 
Valour  alone  can  tame  the  world 

And  show,  in  might  of  unity, 

That  like  our  sires  we  shall  be  free. 

E.  L.  LEVETUS. 

328 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


Chanukah 

I    ITTLE  candles  shed  your  light 

And   illuminate  our  night; 
Tell   your   tale   of   conquests   won, 
Of  Judea's  warrior  son ; 
Of  the  faith-born  wondrous  power, 
Granted  in  our  darkest  hour; 
Speak  of  him  who  made  us  free, 
Israel's   champion — Maccabee. 

. 

What  is  slav'ry's  iron  chain 
To  the  thrall  of  heart  and  brain? 
What's  the  tyrant's  rage  so  blind, 
To  the  listless  human  mind  ? 
Or  the  champion's  cunning  skill, 
To  the  independent  will? 
Which  is  worse — a  cell's  dim  light, 
Or  the  soul's  perpetual  night? 

Wake,  then,  rouse  then  candles,  bright, 
Sleeping  Israel,  with  your  light! 
Tell  them  that  our  chains  of  old 
Meant  but   passing   pains  untold. 
But   our    fetters   forged   each    day, 
Are   blots   we    must   wipe    away; 
Had  we  courage  to  be  free, 
Would  we  need   a  Maccabee? 

MARGARET  FREEMAN. 


Chanukah 

THE  hand  of  Time  moves  o'er  the  dial, 

And  guides  the  seasons  through  the  year  ; 
It  drives  the  sorrow  from  our  hearts — 
Behold — the  Feast  of  Lights  is  here ! 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Feast  of  Lights — old  mem'ries  stir, 
And  pride  within  our  breast  soars  high, 

We  live  again  in   ancient  days, 
When  Judah's  glory  was  the  cry. 

We  see  the  Maccabees  of  old 

Bow  low  within  the  house  of  God; 

Where  Syrian  hands  defiled  the  halls, 
Where  Israel's  patriarchs  had  trod. 

Now  light  we  tapers  for  their  deeds; 

Awak'ning  in  each  heart  a  prayer, 
That  we  may  like  the  Maccabees 

The  glory  and  the  valor  share. 

The  Feast  of  Lights — a  time  when  hope 
Throws  off  the  yoke  of  sorrow's  rod, 

To  wing  its  way  above  the  flames 
That  leap  to  glory  and  to  God! 

CECILIA  G.  GERSON. 

Mo'oz  Tsur  Yeshu'osi 
(A    Chanukah   Hymn) 

JWTIGHTY,  praised  beyond  compare, 

Rock  of  my  salvation, 
Build  again  my  house  of  pray'r 

For  Thy  habitation! 
Haste  my  restoration;  let  a  ransomed  nation 

Joyful  sing 

To  its  King 
Psalms  of  dedication! 

Woe  was  mine  in  Egypt-land 

(Tyrant  kings  enslaved  me) 
Till  Thy  mighty,  outstretched  Hand 

From  oppression  saved  me. 
Pharaoh,  rash  pursuing,  vowed  my  swift  undoing; 

Soon,  his  host 

That  proud   boast 
'Neath  the  waves  was  rueing! 

330 


THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

To  Thy  Holy  Hill,  the  way 

Mad'st  Thou  clear  before  me; 
With  false  gods  I  went  astray — 

Foes  to  exile  bore  me. 
Torn  from  all  I  cherished,  almost  had  I  perished; 

Babylon  fell, 

Zerubabel 
Bad'st  Thou  to  restore  me! 

Then  the  vengeful  Haman  wrought 
Subtly  to  betray  me  ; 
In  his  snare  himself  he  caught — 

He  that  plann'd  to  slay  me. 

(Haled    from    Esther's    palace,    hanged    on    his    own 
gallows ! ) 

Seal  and  ring 

Persia's  king 

Gave  Thy  servant  zealous. 

When  the  brave  Asmoneans  broke 

Javan's   chain   in   sunder, 
Through  the  holy  oil,  Thy  folk 

Didst  Thou  show  a  wonder. 
Ever  full  remain-ed  the  vessel  unprofan-ed; 

These  eight  days, 

Lights  and  praise 
Therefore,  were  ordain-ed. 

Lord,  Thy  Holy  Arm  make  bare, 

Speed  my  restoration; 
Be  my  martyr's  blood  Thy  care — 

Judge  each  guilty  nation. 
Long  is  my  probation;  sore  my  tribulation; 

Bid,  from  Heaven, 

Thy  shepherds  seven, 
Haste  to  my  salvation! 

Translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen. 


331 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Chanukah 

I 

\Y/E  welcome  thee  joyfully,  glorious  night, 
™    We  hail  thee  with  pleasure,  O  Chanukah  light ! 
Its  lustre  so  brilliant,  invites  us  to  joy, 
Invites  us  to  praise  Him,  the  great  Adonoy. 

He  was  our  Redeemer  in  dark  days  of  old, 
When  Syria's  mad  ruler,  proud,  cruel,  and  bold, 
Proclaimed  through  Judea:   "Your  God   I  defy; 
Bow  down  to  my  idols  and  worship — or  die!" 

Of  brave,  pious  martyrs  these  bright  candles  tell, 
Who   yielded   their  soul,   praying:   "Hear,    Israel!" 
Of  Hannah,  the  mother  and  seven  sons  so  dear, 
Who  sealed  with  their  life-blood  their  faith  without 
fear. 

But  Israel's  God  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps, 
He  ever  is  near  him  who  mournfully  weeps, 
He  saw  our  oppression,  and,  hearing  our  pleas, 
Awakened,  to  save  us  the  brave  Maccabees. 

Be  welcome  then,  welcome,  O  glorious  night, 
We  hail  thee  with  pleasure,  O  Chanukah  light! 
Its  lustre,  so  brilliant  invites  us  to  joy, 
Invites  us  to  praise  Him  the  great  Adonoy! 

TT 
H 

Let  our  grateful  anthems  ring, 

Joyous  songs  and  gladsome  lays, 
To  our  God  and  Heavenly  King, 
Sing  His  glory!     Sound  His  praise! 
He  who   never  sleepeth 
Israel  safely  keepeth, 
Hears  their  cry,  from  on  high, 
E'er  when  Judah  weepeth. 

332 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Syria's  mad  and  mighty  host 
Fiercely  down  upon  us  swept. 

To  destroy  us  was  their  boast; 

Israel  trembled,  Judah  wept! 
But  behold !   salvation 
God  wrought  for  our  nation, 

Sending   light,    clear   and    bright, 
'Midst  our  tribulation. 

"Feast   of   Lights" — O  -glorious   name! 

Cast  thy  rays  o'er  land  and  seas  ; 
Kindle  in  all  hearts  the  flame 
That  inspired  the  Maccabees; 
Heroes  to  be  ever. 
Cowards,    traitors — never ! 
And  to  love  God  above, 

Right  and  truth  forever. 

Louis  STERN. 


Fas  hit 

IN  all  great  Shushan's  palaces  was  there 

1       Not  one,  O  Vashti,  knowing  thee  so  well, 

Poor  uncrowned   queen,   that  he   the  world   could 

tell 

How  thou  wert  pure  and  loyal-souled  as  fair? 
How  it  was  love  which  made  thee  bold  to  dare 

Refuse  the  shame  which  madmen  would  compel? 

Not  one,  who  saw  the  bitter  tears  that  fell 
And  heard  thy  cry  heart-rending  on  the  air: 

"Ah  me!     My  Lord  could  not  this  thing  have  meant! 
He  well  might  loathe  me  ever,  if  I  go 
Before  these  drunken  princes  as  a  show. 

I  am  his  queen ;  I  come  of  king's  descent, 
I  will  not  let  him  bring  our  crown  so  low; 

He  will  but  bless  me  when  he  doth  repent !" 

HELEN  HUNT  JACKSON. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


A  Purim  Poem 

know  the  tale  of  Queen  Esther, 
The  Queen  so  well  named  the  "Star—" 
And  of  Mordecai,   humble  and  faithful, 

Who    guided    her   life    from    afar; 
Not  alone  with  your  lips,  dear  children, 

The  beautiful  story   re-tell — 
Let  your  hearts  learn  the  lesson  so  noble, 
Till  the  story  be  yours  as  well. 

Long,  long  ago  lived  Queen  Esther ! 

But  you  must  be  Esthers  too, 
You  maidens  with  eyes  so  thoughtful, 

Who  bear  the  proud  name  of  Jew! 
With  a  heart  that  is  faithful  and  fearless, 

And  a  trust  that  is  sacred  and  strong, 
You  must  stand  for  the  right,  though  you  suffer- 

You  must  battle  against  the  wrong. 

And  you  boys  with  hearts  a-flaming 

With  the  dawn  of  your  manhood's  might, 
Remember  how  Mordecai  humble 

Stood  firm  for  his  faith — and  the  right ! 
How,  clad  in  sackcloth  and  ashes, 

As  he  sat  in  the  dust  by  the  gate, 
Yet  he  pointed  the  way  to  Queen  Esther 

To  suffer,  and  dare,  and  be  great. 

You  know  how  the  old  story  ended — 

How   Haman   the   dastard   at   last 
Met  the  fate  he  had  planned  for  another — 

And    Israel's    danger   was   past! 
But  Israel  needs  now,  as  ever, 

Strong  hearts  that  are  fearless  and  true — 
And  her  honor  that  Mordecai  guarded 

Is  left  now,  dear  children,  with  you. 

334 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

Be  fearless!     Nay,  why  should  you  falter, 

When  God  ever  guardeth  the  right? 
Be  loyal!     The  faith  of  your  fathers 

Hath  shown  through  dark  years  like  a  light! 
And  if  ever  you  tire  in  the  struggle, 

And  the  right  seems  o'ercome  and  afar — 
Then   remember   the  old    Purim    story, 

The  story  of  Esther  the  "Star." 

ISABELLA  R.  HESS. 
, 

Esther 

CWEET  Jewish  maid,  crown'd  with  a  mon- 
~      arch's  love, 

Thy  gentle  grace 
Sought  for  no  glory,  for  no  sov'reign  pow'r, 

No  pride  of  place. 
"If  thy  handmaiden  hath  good  favour  found 

In  the  king's  eyes, 
Grant  but  my  people's  lives  (e'en  tho'  I  be 

The  sacrifice)  ; 
For  we  are  sold,  my  people  and  myself, 

To  cruel  foe. 
How  can  I  bear  to  see  my  kindred's  wrong, 

My  race's  woe?" 
So  thou  art  honoured  and  thy  name  shall  live 

While  Time  shall  be, 
O  queenly  heart!    Our  homage  and  our  love 

We  bring  to  thee. 

FLORENCE  WEISBERG. 

Maid  of  Persia 

JV/TAID   of  Persia,    Myrtle   named, 
A    •*  For   thy  graces   rightly   famed, 
Esther,  ours  for  evermore, 
Queen  to-day  from  oldest  yore — 
Ere  we  leave  thee  let  thy  grace 
Linger  with  us  for  a  space. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Israel's  maidens  be  like  thee, 
Holding  fast  fidelity 
To  the  cause  of  Israel, 
That  they  yield  not  to  the  spell 
Of  the  glitter  and   the   gold 
Shining   in   another   fold. 

Oh,  our  hearts  are  thine  to-day 
For  the  dread  thou  didst  allay, 
For  the  plot  of  Haman   foiled 
That  our  race  was  not  despoiled, 
For  the  worth   of   Mordecai 
Who  the  plotters  did  defy. 

Let  thy  spirit  be  our   share 

Through  whatever  lands  we  fare; 

Mordecai  and  Esther  be 

Lord   and   queen   eternally 

In  the  heart  of  man  and  maid, 

Making  Israel  unafraid. 

Of  "the  foe  that  stalks  by  night, 
Of  the  fowlers  luring  might," 
Of  the  envy  and  the  hate 
Which   all  centuries  relate. 
Maid   of   Juda,   daughter  dear, 
Be  thy  spirit  ever  near. 

HARRY  WEISS. 


Esther 

A     FACE  more  vivid  than  he  dreamed  who  drew 
**•       Thy  portrait  in  that  thrilling  tale  of  old! 
Dead  queen,  we  see  thee  still,  thy  beauty  cold 
As  beautiful;  thy  dauntless  heart  which  knew 
No  fear, — not  even  of  a  king  who  slew 

At  pleasure;  maiden  heart  which  was  not  sold, 
Though  all  the  maiden  flesh  the  king's  red  gold 
Did  buy!     The  loyal  daughter  of  the  Jew, 

336 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

No  hour  saw  thee  forget  his  misery; 

Thou  wert  not  queen  until  thy  race  went  free; 
Yet  thoughtful  hearts,  that  ponder  slow  and  deep, 

Find  doubtful  reverence  at  last  for  thee; 
Thou  heldest  thy  race  too  dear,  thyself  too  cheap; 
Honor  no  second  place  for  truth  can  keep. 

HELEN  HUNT  JACKSON. 


Purim 

QUEEN  ESTHER— so  the  Scriptures  say- 
Fasted  and  prayed  for  many  a  day; 
For  Haman  would  her  people  slay, 
On  Purim. 

Of  her  good  deeds  I  need  not  tell, 
Nor  how  she  did  the  riots  quell ; 
Suffice  to  know  she  felt  quite  well, 
On  Purim. 

And  Haman  was  straightway  bereft 
Of  wealth  acquired  by  fraud  and  theft; 
In  fact,  he  was  quite  badly  left 
On  Purim. 

This  tale  has  run  for  quite  a  time, 
And  chestnut-cries  may  blast  my  rhyme, 
Bad  verse,  howe'er,  is  not  a  crime, 
On  Purim. 

And  many  things  we  never  do, 
And  many  sights  we  seldom  view, 
Are  done  and  seen — enjoyed,  too, 
On  Purim. 

The  ultra-rabbi,  now  the  style, 
And  th'  old-time  rabbi  without  guile, 
May  greet  each  other  with  a  smile, 
On  Purim. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  pious  man,  religion's  prop, 
Who  lectures  when  and  how  to  stop, 
May  take,  himself,  an  extra  drop, 
On  Purim. 

The  youth  who  does  for  "Ethics"  pine, 
And  of  our  Faith  says:  "  'Tis  not  mine," 
Is,  strange  enough,  well  up  in  line 
On  Purim. 

And  editors,  who  never  pray, 
Who  "squeech"  each  other  every  day, 
Put  hate  and  rancor  far  away, 
On  Purim. 

The  rich  relax,  the  poor  receive, 
The  mourners  smile  and  cease  to  grieve, 
And  all  our  misdeeds  we  retrieve  (?) 
On  Purim. 

Long  live  Queen  Esther's  glorious  fame; 
For  Jews  in  practice,  Jews  in  name, 
All  seem  to  get  there,  just  the  same, 

On  Purim.  T 

LABEL. 


In  Shushan 

I 

(~)'ER  lordly  Shushan's  terrac'd  walls 
^•^   The  starry  cloak  of  midnight  falls, 
And  naught  doth  break  the  solemn  spell 
Save  the  soft  note  of  Philomel, 
Or  some  faint  fountain's  silvery  tongue 
Lulling  the  gardens  with  its  song. 
The  yellow  moon  doth  rule  the  sky 
And  gild  the  dark-blue  dome  on  high, 
And  o'er  the  marble  stairways  cold 
A  robe  of  tissue,  woof'd  with  gold, 

338 


THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

Doth  seem  to  cling,  a  garment  rare 
Enmantling  shoulders  lustrous  fair! 
The  King  doth  wassail  hold  to-night — 
For  him  the  hours  have  pinions  light; 

II 

The  gladding  bounty  of  the  vine 

He  pledges  in   the  ruddy  wine, 

And  rears  his  dripping  goblet  high 

To  Love  and  Friendship's  unity. 

His  arm  encircling  Haman's  neck, 

He  views  with  many  a  nod  and  beck 

O'er  purple  rugs  the  dancers  fly 

In  mazy  rounds  of  revelry. 

Then  sweetest  minstrels  tune  their  song, 

And  the  gold  lamps  with  faltering  ray 

In  lovelier  visions  fade  away, 
As  blessed  legions  float  along 
Of  gods  and  heroes  who  began 

The  wars  of  Darkness  and  of  Light, 

Of  dew-ey'd  Morn  and  sullen  Night, 
Of  Ormuzd  fair  and  Ahriman. 

Ill 

A  distant  palace  casement  by 

Queen  Esther  pauses  wearily, 

And  gazes  toward  the  shadowy  fields 

Of  silent  orbs,  where  clustering  shields 

Gleam  faint — Heaven's  warriors'  loosen'd  mail 

By  camp  fires  glinting  far  and  pale. 

Sweetly  the  rose-tint  night-wind  sues 

To  know  her  secret,  as  it  woos 

With  kisses  passion-warm  and  quick 

The  languish'd  lilies  of  her  cheek. 

Ah,  many  fair  flowers  on  earth  there  be, 

But  never  a  flower  so  fair  as  she! 

And  thus  upon  the  midnight  air 

Wing'd  skyward  goes  her  hallow'd  prayer; 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Sweet  Lord  of  Heaven!  who  aye  hast  shown 

Thy  people  grace,  and  from  Thy  throne, 

Encircled  with  angelic  throngs, 

Hast   heard   their  prayers   and   healed   their  wrongs, 

IV 

Great  God  of  Israel's  love  and  mine, 

When  on  the  morrow  'fore  the  King, 

I  dare  my  people's  suit  to  bring 
Touch  thou  my  lips  with  power  divine; 
O  make  my  presence  balmy-sweet, 
That  from  his  purpl'd,  royal  seat, 
The  king  shall  smile  and  in  his  grace 
Undo  the  sorrows  of  my  race. 
Grant,  Lord!  that  like  yon  moon  serene 

That  sits  enthron'd  twixt  earth  and  sky, 

And  'neath  her  sapphire  canopy 
Doth  cheer  the  night,  a  blessed  queen, 
I,  too,  may  be  twixt  those  who  haste 

To  bring  my  people  to  the  dust 

And  Thee,  sweet  Heaven,  with  all  thy  host, 
A  Queen  as  bright  and  calm  and  chaste, 

As  peerless,  star-soul'd  and  as  true, 
As  yon  fair  journeyer  in  the  waste 

Of  the  deep-bosom'd,  endless  blue!" 

E.  YANCEY  COHEN. 


Purim 

1HROM    Shushan's  royal  palace  came  the  edict  dread 

and  dark; 
"Exterminate  God's  chosen  race,  crush  out  life's  vital 

spark." 
This  heard  the  youth   and   trembled,   and   the  hoary 

head  was  bowed, 
And  in  sackcloth  and  in   ashes  the  faithful  mourned 

aloud. 

340 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

But   lo!   a   maiden   standeth   now   in   royal   garments 

dressed, 
Though  on  her  youthful  brow  a  crown — 'tis  sadness, 

fills  her  breast; 
The  King  upon  his  royal  throne  beholds  that  maiden 

fair, 
The  golden   sceptre  holdeth   forth,   and   calls   Queen 

Esther  there. 

"What  wilt  thou,  Oh,   Queen  Esther?  and  what  is 

thy  behest? 
Though  e'en   'twere  half  my  kingdom,   it  should  be 

at  thy  request." 
Then  gently  spake  the  maiden,  as  she  stands  in  beauty 

there: 
"Let  the  King  and  Haman  come  to-day  to  the  banquet 

I  prepare." 

While  thus  with  joy  they  feasted,  and  the  wine  cup 

held  on  high, 
Again  the  King  on  Esther  urged  to  tell  her  thoughts 

and  why? 
Upon  her  brow  a  shadow  dark  had  cast  its  gloom  this 

day, 
But  with   a  smile,   then,   Esther  spake,    and   courage 

found  to  say: 

"If  I  have  pleased  my  lord  the  King  and  found  grace 

in  his  eyes, 

I  beg  that  he  will  not  refuse,  or  my  request  despise; 
And   that  once  more  to-morrow,   when  a  banquet   I 

prepare, 
The  King  and  Haman  shall  again,  with  wine  and  song 

be  there, 

And  then  shall  my  petition  before  the  King  be  laid, 
And  if  'tis  granted,  not  in  vain,  hath  Esther,  fasting, 

prayed." 

341 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

'Tis  night!  and  though  on   royal  couch  Ahashverosh 

now  lies, 
He  vainly  woos  the  god  of  sleep  to  close  his  weary 

eyes. 
"Bring  in  the  chronicled  events,"  the  King  now  gives 

command, 
"And  thus  amuse  my  waking  thoughts  with   actions, 

as  they  stand." 

Then  heard  the  King  how  Mordecai  his  life  from  ruf- 
fian spared, 

"What  honor  has  been  done  for  this?"  "Yet  nothing," 
they  declared. 

Then  asked  the  King  of  Haman,  "What  shall  in  re- 
ward be  done 

To  him  who  hath  my  royal  grace  and  honor  justly 
won?" 

And  when  the  monarch  heard,  he  cried,  "Take  Morde- 
cai the  Jew, 

And  all  the  honors  thou  hast  planned,  make  haste  thee, 
quick  to  do." 

Now  at  the  second  banquet,  Queen  Esther  makes  re- 
quest : 

"I  ask  my  life  from  out  thy  hand,  My  people  at  be- 
quest. 

"For  we  are  sold!  both  I  and  they;  not  for  bondman 

o'er  the  land, 
But  utterly  to  be  destroyed,  cast  out,   and  slain,   'tis 

planned." 
Then  rose  the  King  in  fury:  "Whose  bold  plan  this?" 

he  cried, 
"Behold  him!"  whispers  Esther,  "for  'tis  Haman,  at 

thy  side." 

"Appease  mine  anger,   let  him  hang  full  fifty  cubits 

high!" 
'Tis  done;  and  messengers  off  speed,  the  Jews'  release 

is  nigh. 

342 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Their  sorrow  now  to  joy  is   turned,   and   long  shall 

Esther's  name 
Illumined  shine  in  Israel's  heart  with  faith's  undying 

fame. 

MYRTILLA  E.  MITCHELL. 


Mordecai 
Esther  vii.   i-io;  viii.   15 

say,  my  queen,"  the  monarch  cries, 
What  boon  dost  thou  demand? 
Be  it  the  half  of  my  kingdom's  worth, 
'Tis  given  to  thy  hand." 

"O  king,  had  all  my  race  been  sold 

To  bondage  and  to  shame, 
No  murmur  from  my  lip  had  passed 

My  sovereign's  deed  to  blame; 

"But  sold  to  slaughter,  doomed  to  death, 

I  pour  my  humble  prayer; 
Oh,  let  thy  royal  clemency 

My  guiltless  kindred  spare!" 

"And  who,  my  queen,  hath  dared  the  deed?" 

"Behold,  our  ruthless  foe! 
'Tis  Haman  whets  the  murd'rous  steel 

And  aims  the  fatal  blow." 

The  king  is  wroth:  the  traitor  shrinks; 

The  stern  command  is  given: 
Bound  and  condemned  they  bear  him  forth 

To  feed  the  fowls  of  heaven. 

A  gallows,  by  his  impious  hand 

For   Mordecai   designed, 
Receives  the  tyrant's  struggling  form, 

And  gives  him  to  the  wind. 

343 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Haman,  thy  wife  hath  well  foretold 

The  dark  intent  will  fail; 
Against  Jehovah's  chosen   fold 

Thou  never  couldst  prevail. 

Who  comes?     His  costly  garments  wave 

In  many  a  purple  fold, 
Blest  with  the  purest  white ;  he  wears 

A  crown  of  burnished  gold. 

It  is  the  Jew — 'tis  Mordecai, 

Type  of  his  ransomed  race; 
For  shame  is  double  honor  given, 

And  glory  for  disgrace. 

Such,  Israel,  is  thy  future  lot, 

Purged  in  refining  fires; 
Queens  shall  thy  nursing  mothers  be, 

And  kings  thy  nursing  sires. 

And  thou,  in  means  and  mercies  rich, 

Loved   Albion,   happy  land, 
For  Judah  bend  the  suppliant  knee, 

And  work  with  willing  hand. 

Oh,   help  thine  elder  brother's  need, 

Bid  him  thy  blessings  share, 
Nor  let  him  perish  at  thy  gate 

While  thou  hast  bread  to  spare! 

ANONYMOUS. 


Mordecai 

JWIAKE  friends  with  him!    He  is  of  royal  line, 

Although  he  sits  in  rags.     Not  all  of  thine 
Array  of  splendor,  pomp  of  high  estate, 
Can  buy  him  from  his  place  within  the  gate, 
The  King's  gate  of  thy  happiness,  where  he, 
Yes,  even  he,  the  Jew,  remaineth  free, 

344 


THE   JEWISH   YEAR 

Never    obeisance    making,    never    scorn 
Betraying  of  thy  silver  and  new-born 
Delight.     Make  friends  with  him,   for  unawares 
The  charmed  secret  of  thy  joys  he  bears; 
Be  glad,  so  long  as  his  black  sackcloth,  late 
And  early,  thwarts  thy  sun;  for  if  in  hate 
Thou  plottest  for  his  blood,   thy  own  death  cry, 
Not  his,  comes  from  the  gallows  cubits  high. 

HELEN  HUNT  JACKSON. 


Purlm 

quaff  the  brimming  festal   glass! 
Bring  forth  the  good  old  cheer! 
For  Esther's  Feast  has  come  at  last, — 
Most  gladsome  in  the  year. 

And  now,  when  hearts  beat  glad  and  free, 

Come  gather  all  about, 
And  tell  once  more  how,  long  since,   He 

Did  put  our  foe  to  rout. 

Full  oft  has  beauty  ruled  a  land 

And  held  its  sceptred  sway; 
Full  often  foiled  th'  avenging  hand, 

And  bade  oppression  stay. 

But  ne'er  did  beauty  so  avail, 

As  when  fair  Esther's  charm 
'Gainst  vengeful  Haman  did  prevail 

To  'fend  the  Jews  from  harm. 

So  all  the  dire  impending  woe 

That  hovered  o'er  their  head, 
Did  light  upon  their  ruthless  foe 

And  ruined  him,  instead. 

345 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  thus,  throughout  the  ages  long, 

In  every  land  and  clime, 
They  chant  an  old  thanksgiving  song 

E'er  mindful  of  that  time. 

Yea,  Israel's  Guardian  never,  sleeps, — 

No  slumber  to  His  eye! — 
But  loving  watch  He  ever  keeps 

Upon  his  flock  from  high. 

C.   DAVID   MATT. 


A  Purim  Retrospect 

I 

tell  us  the  story  again, 
You  told  us  when  we  were  young, 
Of   Esther,   the   great   Jewish   queen, 
And    Haman — the  one   they  hung; 
And   how  the  tables  were  turned, 
And  Mordecai  came  to  be  great, 
How  he  won  the  respect  of  the  king, 
Though  sprung  from  low  estate. 

II 

We  clustered  around  the  broad  table, 
On  which  all  the  dainties  were  spread, 

And  the  rays  seemed  as  soft  as  moonbeams, 
From   the   seven   star   lamp   overhead; 

And  we  seemed  once  more  to  be  children,     . 
Aglowing  with  youthful  glee, 

The  youngest — a  baby  of  twenty, 

Perched  up  on  his  mother's  knee. 

Ill 

Well,  father  read  out  the  Megillah, 
We  knew  it  all,  through  and  through, 

Though  it's  wonderful,  how  in  that  small  book, 
One  always  finds  something  that's  new; 

346 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

So  we  wept  again  where  Esther 

Risked  her  own  life  to  see  the  King, 

And  cried  "Bravo"  when   Haman  was  ordered 
Upon   his  own   gallows   to   swing. 

IV 

But  when  we  came  to  the  hero, 

(Who  used  to  sit  out  by  the  gate,) 
Led  all  over  Shushan  by  Haman, — 

And  robed  in  the  king's  own  state, — 
We  clapped  our  hands  for  wonder, 

How  strangely  things  came  about, 
And  thought  we  could  hear  the  thunder, 

That  echoed  the  people's  shout. 

V 

And  then  the  ten  sons  of  Haman, 

And  those  that  rejoiced  at  the  news — 
That  ranged  on  the  side  of  the  wicked, 

And  perished  instead  of  the  Jews — 
We  thought  how  God  in   His  wisdom 

His  breath  to  each  creature  doth  give, 
And  yet  how  he  blots  out  millions, 

That  millions  of  others  may  live. 

VI 

Our  reading  and  feasting  had  ended, 

And  father  looked  wisely  at  all, 
And  told  us  the  lesson  extended, 

That  Esther's  brave   life   did   recall: — 
"The  path  of  the  righteous  is  ever 

God's  vigilant  care  and  cause, 
And  honesty,  virtue  and  justice, 

Are  heaven's  immutable  laws. 

VII 

"The  lowly  shall  rise  from  their  thralldom, 
And  sit  on  the  kingly  throne, 

347 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  God,   in  his  infinite  mercy, 

Will  gather  them  for  his  own  ; 
While  those  who  sit  in  high  places, 

And  mingle  not  justice  with  power, 
Shall  merit  the  wrath  of  th'  Almighty 

And  perish  from  that  dread  hour. 

VIII 

"The  outward  has  nothing  to  boast  of, 

Nor  figure,  nor  color  of  skin, 
The  image  of  God  is  implanted, 

Engraved  on  the  heart  within; 
The  gift  to  rule  self  is  to  each  one, 

To  rule  over  many,  to  few; 
But    a    single    brave    heart    may   work   wonders,, 

If  only  that  one  heart  be  true." 

W.  S.  HOWARD. 


Purim,  IQOO 

PHOU  poor  wan  phantom  of  a  vanished  joy, 

*"      Pale  wandered  from  the  East!     Upon  thy  brow 

Hang  once-fresh  garlands,  sadly  withered  now; 
Time's  hand  hath  marred  what  it  might  not  destroy, 

Darkened  thy  fame,  and  made  thee  almost  dumb 
From  cold  neglect.     Thy  backward-gazing  eyes 
See  visions  of  dead  happy  pasts  arise 

To  mock  thee  with  sweet  laughter.     Children  come 
And  wonderingly  look  on  one  they  loved, 

Who  brought  them  gifts  and  pleasure  and  a  tale 

That  even  Repetition  could  not  stale, — 
Of   Love   triumphant,    and   of   Hate   removed, 

Now  scatter  ashes  on  thy  reverend  head, 

Israel  forgets  thee,  Purim!  thou  art  dead. 

ALICE  D.  BRAHAM. 


348 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 


The  Search   for  Leaven 

IKE  a  tender,  loving  maiden 
Dusting  her  devoted  room 
When  her  sweetheart  she  awaiteth, 
Often  dreaming  on  her  broom. 

So  when  stars  beglamour  heaven, 

And  the  vesper-prayer's  said, 
On  the  eve  before  the  Seder, 

Father  takes  some  feathers,  bread, 

Rag,  and  wooden  spoon,  and  taper; 

And  he  breaks  the  bread  in  seven, 
And  like  the  child  with  playthings,  playing, 

He  naively  searches  leaven. 

First  he  hides  in  nook  the  bread-crumbs, 

Then  like  Jason  on  the  quest 
For  the  glorified  golden  fleeces, 

To  the  search  for  leaven,  addrest, 

By  the  lighted  mystic  taper, 
He  like  one  a-dreaming  prays; 

God  be  blest  for  sanctifying 

Man  with  leaven-searching  ways. 

Then  he  locks  the  lips  in  silence, 
Like  a  Bismarck  guarding  tongue, 

Lest  the  deep-laid  scheme  of  statecraft, 
By  an  ill-timed  word  go  wrong. 

And  with  gravest  mien  and  broodings, 

Ferrets  out  each  hiding  hole, 
Where   he  laid  the   treasured  bread-crumbs, 

Sweeps  them  to  their  burning  goal, 

In  the  spoon,  with  tuft  and  feathers; 

Seals  it  with  the  rag,  and  lays 
All  away  until  the  morrow, 

When,  ere  burning  it,  he  prays: 

349 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"All  the  leaven  of  my  dwelling, 

All  I  saw  or  did  not  see, 
All  I  did  or  didn't  banish, 

Void,  as  dust  of  earth  shall  be." 

Then  he  muses  on  the  Seder, 

Like  a  maid  who  dusts  her  room 

When  her  sweetheart  she  awaiteth, 
Often  dreaming  on  the  broom. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 

The  Moral  of  It 

CO   once  more  the  ancient  story  lifts  its  voice   un- 

dulled  by  age — 
While   the   pyramids   stand    dimly   strewn    across    the 

lettered  page, 
And  we  hear  the  slave  gangs  rattling  loud  their  chains 

of  vassalage — , 

How  the  sea's  avenging  fury  purged  the  immemorial 

wrong 
How  the  fire  cloud's  angel  pinions  hovered  o'er  the 

nomad  throng; 
Till   at  last   their  wondering  quavers   struggled   into 

paean  song. 

And  the  story  has  a  sequel,  and  the  sequel  tears  may 

tell, 

How  across  the  desert  ages  journeyed  footsore  Israel, 
Ran  the  gauntlet  of  the  nations,  midst  the  scourgers' 

carrion-yell. 

But  the  shrewd  Ahasuerus*  toughened  with  each 
strictest  test, 

Lingered  round  the  Gentile's  back-door,  till  the  Gen- 
tile acquiesced 

And  from  contraband  intruder  made  him  an  unwel- 
come guest. 

*The  legendary  name  of  the  Wandering  Jew. 

350 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 


For  the  world  grew  self-respecting,  ordered  things 
with  light  and  law, 

Gave  the  spoiler  shorter  tether,  closer  pared  the  vul- 
ture's claw, 

And  announced  the  grand  commandment.  Would'st 
thou  bricks,  then  give  the  straw. 

Has  thy  tree  of  life,  emplanted  decade-deep  in  sun- 
nier earth, — 

Have  thy  virtue's  olive  branches,  Judah,  gained  in 
girth  and  worth? 

Is  thy  warrant  of  survival  still  the  same  that  gave 
thee  birth? 

Walk  we  straighter-backed  through  Edom  since  the 
lightening  of  the  yoke?  . 

Lives  the  faith,  the  self-surrender  that  from  stake  and 
gibbet  spoke? 

Is  the  message  of  Jeshurun  more  than  riddling 'equi- 
voque ? 

Faith  and  message  waned  to  shadows,  self-deceiving, 

self-belied, 
Sapless    mockery    of    substance,    time's    long-suffering 

petrified : 
May  the  flesh  not  live  for  ever  once  the  soul  itself  has 

died? 

So  we  move,  and  move  at  random,  know  not  when  to 

leap  or  halt, 
Pause   and    hear   the   by-word    "sluggard,"    leap,    and 

turn  a  somersault, 
And  we  snarl,  with  pointing  fingers : , yours — and  yours 

— and  yours  the  fault. 

Hence  the  heretic's  revilings,  rants  of  rabid  tribalist, 
Each  would  be  the  true  adherent,  each  the  only  loyal- 
ist; 

Matters  it  who  makes  the  mischief,  zealot  or  con- 
venticlist  ? 

351 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Zion  listening  'midst  her  ruins  lifts  her  haggard  face 

and  wan, 
Queries:     lives     the     recollection     martyr-years    have 

handed   on? 
Think  they  of  the  vows  that  echo  from  the  brooks  of 

Babylon  ? 

Whose  the  shame,  and  whose  the  sorrow?     Men  and 

ages  we  condemn, 
Cavil  at   the  courtly  cities,   rail  against  the  tents  of 

Shem  ; 
Whose  the   blame,   if  in   our  bosoms   dwells  a  dead 

Jerusalem?  SAMUEL  GORDON. 


The   Seder 

D  ING  in  the  glorious  festal-tide 
^  *•       That  dawns  o'er  land  and  sea, 
Proclaim  the  story  far  and  wide 
That  made  a  people  free. 

A  wondrous  tale  and  often  told, 

Yet  never  dim  it  grows, 
And  now  as  in  the  days  of  old 

No  fading  light  it  knows. 

But  ever  fresh  and  bright  it  comes 

Across  the  moving  years, 
And  gayly  in  our  festive  homes 

Rings  welcome  in  our  ears. 

A  table  set  in  spotless  white 
With  gladsome  hearts  around, 

A  hallowed  scene  of  joy  and  light 
As  nowhere  else  is  found. 

The  symbols  of  our  feast  in  line 
Before  our  view  are  spread, 

The  bitter  herb  and  mystic  wine, 
The  Paschal  meat  and  bread. 

352 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Then  from  the  book  of  ancient  lore 

The  tale  again  is  told, 
With  heightened  tone  and  full  rich  store 

Of  legend  quaint  and  old. 

How  Israel  came  to  Egypt's  land 
And  through  long  years  did  bide, 

How  on  them  Pharaoh  laid  his  hand 
In  all  his  godless  pride. 

Till  God,  He  heard  their  bitter  cry, 
And  swift  His  vengeance  wrought, 

'Mid  signs  and  wonders  from  on  high 
The  tyrant  low  was  brought. 

God  led  them  on  to  victory: 

Freedom  crowned  their  day, 
They  marched  away  a  people  free 

With  banners  high  and  gay. 

And  so  with  praise  to  God  and  song, 

Israel  far  and  wide 
Remembers  through  'the  ages  long 

This  happy  festal-tide. 

J.  F. 


Seder-Night 

PROSAIC  miles  of  streets  stretch  all  round, 

Astir  with  restless,  hurried  life  and  spanned 
By  arches  that  with  thund'rous  trains  resound, 

And   throbbing   wires   that   galvanize   the    land; 

Gin-palaces  in  tawdry  splendor  stand ; 
The  newsboys  shriek  of  mangled  bodies  found ; 

The  last  burlesque  is  playing  in  the  Strand — 
In  modern  prose  all  poetry  seems  drowned. 
Yet  in  ten  thousand  homes  this  April  night 

An  ancient  People  celebrates  its  birth 

353 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

To  Freedom,  with  a  reverential  mirth. 
With  customs  quaint  and  many  a  hoary  rite, 
Waiting   until,    its   tarnished    glories   bright, 

Its  God  shall  be  the  God  of  all  the  earth. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 

•j-l 

rassover 

OM  Egypt  once,  'mid  storm  and  flame, 
Redeemed  the  hosts  of  Judah  came. 

What  hymns  triumphant  did  they  raise 
The  God  of  freedom  high  to  praise. 

As  'mid  the  parting  waters'  flow 
In  terror  sank  the  wily  foe! 

We  break  the  bread,  we  drink  the  wine, 
In  memory  of  that  olden  time. 

We  sing  the  festal  melodies 
That  swell  along  the  centuries. 

The  snow-white  cloth,  the  lights  are  here, 
All  peace  and  joy — love's  atmosphere. 

O  Judah,  cherish  long  the  thought 
That  not  for  feasting  was  this  wrought  ; 

But  ever  struggling  to  be  free, 

In  Pesach's  fragrant  text  for  thee! 

Be  free,  no  spirit  bondage  more! 

Be  free — and    burst   the   prison   door! 

••iA 

Be  free — no  hypocrite  lies! 
Be  free — no  empty  mockeries. 

-r^  ,  ,  1       i.      •          1 

Dost  hear  again  the  word  divine? 
"Set  free  the  spirit — it  is   Mine." 

ABRAM  S.  ISAACS. 

354 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 
A  Passover  Hymn  from  the  Haggada 

(El  Beneh) 

!  speed'ly  build  Thy  temple  shrine, 

Thy  holy  House  restore, 
And  send  again  Thy  light  divine, 
As  in  the  days  of  yore. 

0  Thou!  whose  special  care  we  are 
Where'er  our  lot   be  cast 

Become  again  our  guiding  star 
As  in  the  distant  past. 

1 I  build  again  a  firmer  throne 
For  Judah's  royal  race, 

And  give  his  sceptre  rule  alone 
And  pour  on  him  Thy  grace, 
His  sons  ingather  to  their  fold, 

-r-  i  i 

rar  scattered  and  away, 
And  in  his  realm  let  Justice  hold 
Her  firm  triumphant  sway! 

But  more  than  Temple,  shrine,  or  dome, 

Within  our  hearts  build  sure 
For  Thee,  O  Lord,  a  dwelling  home 

Predestined  to  endure. 
And  vouchsafe,  Lord,  the  world  all  o'er, 

A  brighter  day  to  shine, 
And  in  one  bond,   forever  more 

All  humankind  entwine. 

J.  F. 

Passover 
The  First  Declaration  of  Independence 

PHE  sullen   ice  has  crept  from  sunny  fields, 

The  conflict  of  the  elements  is  passed ! 
Again  the  spring  its  wealth  of  verdure  yields, 
The  probing  sun  has  conquered  frost  at  last! 

355 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

'Tis  the  Passover  of  reviving  earth, 

The  longed  for  resurrection  of  its  charms, 

Each  peeping  bud  a  type  of  Freedom's  birth, — 
A  conquest  each  o'er  winter's  dread  alarms. 

All,  all  the  sunny  joys  till  now  concealed, 
Are  prototypes  of  Liberty's  blest  morn 

When    Israel's   rescue    first   that    truth    revealed, — 
"To  free  and  equal  rights  all  men  are  born!" 

Infallible  as  Nature  in  her  round 

Emancipates  herself  from  winter's  reign, 

So  shall  the  clarion  note  of  Freedom  sound 
And  all  the  world  the  burden  proud  sustain. 

Oh  mankind  hear! — and  to  all  those  proclaim 
Who  languish  for  the  light  of  Freedom's  sun, — 

Let  all  the  Nations  join  the  glad  acclaim, — 
"Our  God  is  One — Humanity  is  One!" 

DEBORAH  KLEINERT  JANOWITZ. 


By  the  Red  Sea 
(Hymn  for  the  Seventh  Day  of  Passover) 

YV7HEN  as  a  wall  the  sea 

In  heaps  uplifted  lay, 
A  new  song  unto  Thee 

Sang  the  redeemed  that  day. 

Thou  didst  in  his  deceit, 
Overwhelm  the  Egyptian's  feet, 
While  Israel's  footsteps  fleet 
How  beautiful  were  they. 

Jeshurun!     All  who  see 
Thy  glory  cry  to  Thee: 
"Who  like  thy  God  can  be?" 
Thus  even  our  foes  did  say. 

356 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

O  let  Thy  banner  soar 
The  scattered  remnants  o'er, 
And  gather  them  once  more, 
Like  ours  on  harvest-day. 

Who  bear  through  all  their  line 
Thy  covenant's  holy  sign, 
And  in  Thy  name  divine 

Are  sanctified  alway. 

3 

Let  all  the  world  behold 
Their  token  prized  of  old, 
Who  on  their  garment's  fold 
The  thread  of  blue  display. 

Be  then  the  truth  made  known 
From  whom,  and  whom  alone, 
The  twisted  fringe  is  shown, 
The  covenant  kept  this  day. 

O  let  them,  sanctified, 
Once  more  with  Thee  abide, 
Their  sunshine  far  and  wide 
And  chase  the  clouds  away. 

The  well-beloved  declare 
Thy    praise    in    song   and    prayer; 
"Who  can  with  Thee  compare, 
O  Lord  of  Hosts?"  they  say. 

When  as  a  wall  the  sea 

In  heaps  uplifted  lay, 
A  new  song  unto  Thee, 

Sang  the  redeemed  that  day. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 

(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


357 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 
The  All  Father's  Word 

YY/'HEN  ransomed  Israel  saw  the  returning  sea 

O'erwhelm  the  vast  array  of  Pharaoh's  pride, 
And  raised  exultant  hymn  above  the  tide: — 

"Lord  God  eternal  who  is  like  to  Thee, 

Awful  in  praises,  working  wondrously!" 

God  silent  bode;  but  when  His  angels  vied 
With  men  in  choir  antiphonal,  and  cried: — 

"His  outstretched  arm  hath  set  His  children  free!" 
And  heaven  like  earth  rocked  with  tumultuous  song, 
God  spake  rebuking;  and  the  shamed,  mute  throng, 

Awe-swept  and  trembling,  glimpsed  a  vision  new 
Of  Love  and  Pity  Infinite,  as  they  heard 
The  fathomless  sorrow  of  the  All  Father's  word : 

"Peace.     They  that  perish  are  My  children  too." 

EMILY  SOLIS-COHEN,  JR. 


The  Feast  of  Freedom 


I 


REMEMBER  in  my  childhood 
From  my  grandfather  I  heard 
Charming  tales  of  gone-by  ages 
That  my  soul  so  deeply  stirred. 

Charming  tales  of  ancient  sages 
That  I  felt,  I  knew  were  true  ; 

Stories  of   the  hoary  ages 

That  remain  forever  new.  .  .  . 

Of  the  Pesach-days  he  told  me, 
Days  that  joy  and  sunshine  bring; 

Of  the  Festival  of  Freedom, 

Of  Revival  and  of  Spring.  .  .  . 

Of  the  slave-people  in  Egypt, 
Whose  hot  blood  so  rashly  spilt, 

Soaked  into  cold  bricks  and  mortar 
Of  the  fortresses  they  built. 

358 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

How  on  them,  the  God-forsaken, 

After  gloomy  wintry  days, 
Shone  at  last  the  rays  of  freedom, 

Heaven's  bright  and   cheerful  rays. 

How  among  them  rose  a  leader, 

Star-like  in  a  gloomy  night, 
And  he  pleaded  for  their  freedom, 

And  he  crushed  a  tyrant's  might. 

How  he  taught  the  fettered  people 
Not  in  vain  their  blood  to  spill, 

Turning  bondmen   into    freemen, 
Men  of  honor  and  of  will. 

How  the  people's  march  to  Freedom 
Could  no  despot's  might  restrain, 

Till  before  their  will  resistless 
Stormy  ocean  oped  in  twain.  .  .  . 

"Then  it  was  our  people's  Spring-time, 
After  which   a   Summer  came, 

Followed  by  a  golden  harvest, 

Free  from  yoke  and  free  from  shame." 

"Grand-sire,  dear,"  I  asked  enraptured, 
"How  long  did  that  Summer  last?" 

But  he  sadly  gazed  and  pondered, 
And  he  answered  me  at  last. 

"Child,  it  was  a  long,  bright  Summer, 

But  a  winter  came  again, 
Came  with  cold,  and  snow,  and  showers, 

With  its  gales  of  grief  and  pain. 

"Frost  and  tempest-strife,  contention — 
Raged  once  more  in  every  part, 

Stealing  into  souls  and  freezing 
Will  and  hope  in  every  heart. 

359 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Furious  storm  once  more  dispersed  us; 

Israel  rendered  free  and  great, 
Into  lands  of  cruel  despots 

Went  to  face  a  bondman's  fate.  ..." 

"Grand-sire,  dear,  why  does  this  Winter 
Seem  so  endless,  then?" — I  sighed — 

And  two  crystal  tears  were  trembling 
In  his  eyes,  when  he  replied. 

"Yes,  my  boy,  it  seems  so  endless, 

But  it  cannot,  will  not  be; 
Israel  will  not  slave  for  ever, 

One  day,  child,  he  will  be  free. 

"In  his  soul  will  re-awaken 

Courage,  will,  and  pride,  and  might; 

Freedom's  sunrise  must  needs  follow 
Israel's  starless  exile  night. 

"But  till  then,  ere  Spring's  arrival — • 
For  the  winter's  steps  are  slow — 

Pesach  is  a  sweet  remembrance 
Of  a  spring  of  long  ago.  ..." 

P.  M.  RASKIN. 


Pesach  Le'  Osid 
(The  Passover  of  the  Future) 

ISRAEL  in  fetters  still!     The  prophet's  wand 
Shall  stretch  across  the  tyrant's  hapless  land, 
And  prison  doors  shall  straightway  open  wide, 
And  barring  waters  shall  like  walls  divide, 
To  let  the  Lord's  redeemed  pass  dry-shod  o'er 
And  reach  a  brighter,  freer,  friendlier  shore. 
The  angel  that  unseen  spreads  seeds  of  death 
And  on  each  house  corrupt  pours  poisoned  breath 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Shall  pass  the  homes  of  God's  appointed  by 
And  none  that  mark  their  lintel-posts  shall  die. 
Hope  paints  this  vision  thus  in  golden  hue 
And,  deathless  as  Hope,  doth  Faith  bespeak  it  true, 
Affliction's  bread  shall  yield  to  plenty's  leaven, 
The  clouds  shall  pass  and  earth  shall  grow  like  heaven. 

ANONYMOUS. 


The  Omer 

GO,  Lord,  teach  us  to  number  our  days, 
^  That  our  hearts  in  the  process  grow  wise. 
But  what  is  there  for  man  to  appraise? — 

A  measure  of  grain 

And  a  measure  of  pain. 

And  the  end  ?    The  dead  chaff  from  the  sheaf  ? 
So  this  trouble  leaps  forth  to  the  skies; 
When  Death  holds  us  in  wintry  embrace, 
Shall  we  gaze,  O  our  God,  on  Thy  face  ? 
Lo,  the  Spring  to  our  craving  replies, 

And  the  bud  and  the  leaf 

Are  the  ground  of  belief 
That  the  soul,  spite  of  dying,  ne'er  dies, 
Takes  new  life  in  God's  springtime  again. 

M.  M. 


Sfere  * 

I  ASKED  my  Muse  had  she  any  objection 
*     To  laughing  with  me, — not  a  word  for  reply! 
You  see,  it  is  Sfere,  our  time  for  dejection 
And  can  a  Jew  laugh  when  the  rule  is  to  cry  ? 

You  laughed  then  you  say?  'tis  a  sound  to  affright  one 
In  Jewish  delight,  what  is  worthy  the  name? 

The  laugh  of  a  Jew  it  is  never  a  right  one, 

For  laughing  and  groaning  with  him  are  the  same. 

*  Sephira,  a  period  of  mourning  commemorating  the  disasters  to  Israel 
during  the  Crusades. 

361 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

You  thought  there  was  zest  in  the  Jewish  existence? 

You  deemed  that  the  star  of  a  Jew  could  be  kind  ? 
The  spring  calls  and  beckons  with  gracious  insistence, 

Jew, — sit  down  in  sackcloth  and  weep  yourself  blind ! 

. 
The  garden  is  green  and  the  woodland  rejoices; 

How  cool  are  the  breezes,  with  fragrance  how  blent ; 
But    Spring  calls  not   you   with   her   thousand   sweet 
voices ; 

With  you  it  is  Sfere, — sit  still  and  lament. 

The  beautiful  summer,  this  life's  consolation, 
In  moaning  and  sighing  glides  quickly  away, 

What  hope  can  it  offer  to  one  of  my  nation? 
What  joy  can  he  find  in  the  splendors  of  May? 

MORRIS  ROSENFELD. 

- 

• 

The  Covenant  of  Sinai 

T    O,  this  is  the  law  that  I  gave  you, 

Who  called  you  to  honor  My  name : 
(From  the  sweltering  Nile  did  I  bring  you 

And  lead  you  by  cloud  and  by  rain, 
Even  here  unto  this  lonely   Horeb, 

Where  I,  all  enthroned  do  abide) 
That  you  might  be  known  as  my  people, 

Espoused  unto  me  as  a  bride. 

O'er  shimmering  plains  have  I  led  you 

As  caravans  pilgriming  south, 
'Mid  swirling  simoons  and  sand-storms 

To  languish  and  thirst  in  the  drought. 
I  led  your  host  steadily  onward — 

And  the  walls  of  the  Red  Sea  I  clove 
Lest  ye  halt  a  day  in  your  journey, 

Fear-stricken   as  sheep  in  a  drove. 

And  here  have  I  brought  you  to  Sinai 
Where  the  silence  and  awe  of  the  hills 

362 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Descends  as  the  night  with  its  terror, 

And  the  void  with  its  grim  darkness  fills — 

That  here  all  alone  and  a-trembling 
You  may  list  to  the  words  that  I  speak : 

Though  My  words  ride  the  wind  and  the  thunder 
Yet  the  contrite  of  heart  do  I  seek. 

And  ye  have  I  raised  as  an  emblem 

And  made  you  My  sign  to  the  world ; 
Wherever  ye  dwell,  do  I  sojourn, 

And  there  is  My  purpose  unfurled: 
For  you  are  My  law  to  the  peoples ; 

Your  ways  are  the  paths  I  have  trod — 
In  you  is  revealed  My  own  being 

And  through  you  Man  knows  I  am  God. 

My  glory  is  hung  on  these  mountains, 

That  'neath  them,  encamped  you  may  see 
The  luminous  tables  I've  graven 

With  truth  that  will  make  all  men  free. 
For  you  I  turned  flint  into  fountains 

Whose  waters  o'er  thirsty  fields  rolled — 
You  are  Mine,  e'en  though  you  belie  Me; 

You  are  Mine  whom  I  summoned  of  old. 

You  are  Mine,  though  I  load  you  with  burdens 

And  lash  you  with  woe  and  with  pain. 
I  will  send  you  from  hence  to  all  peoples, 

To  hunger  and  want  to  be  slain. 
I  charge  you  to  go  among  nations 

And  teach  both  the  high  and  the  meek, 
That  I  am  the  I  am  Eternal 

And  those  who  seek  Me  do   I  seek. 

I  gave  you   these  tables  of   granite 
And  the  letters  of  each  are  writ  large; 

And  you  are  to  bear  them  and  do  them 
Forever  to  keep  them  in  charge; 

To  die  for  them,  yea,  if  it  must  be, 

363 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

But  never  to  sell  them  for  pelf — 
But  the  law  that  is  largest  among  them 
Is  that  law  which  each  makes  for  himself. 

Oh,  hear  as  this  old  mountain  rumbles 

As  if  it  were  shivering  with  dread. 
To  the  living  I  call  as  my  servants, 

Who  bury  their  past  and  their  dead: 
Who  serves  each  one  in  his  fashion, 

In  justice  and  love,  I  decree 
Is  living  My  law  among  peoples 

And  barkened  forever  to  Me. 

JOSEPH  LEISER. 


What  Praise  Is  on  Our  Lips? 

W7HAT  praise  is  on  our  lips,  what  cheer 
To  Him,  who  sitteth  on  His  throne? 
Firm  master  of  the  changing  year, 

Who  leads  us  on  from  zone  to  zone, 
He  gave  to  us  His  sacred  cause — 
The  practice  of  His  ancient  laws. 

From  lands  far  off  our  fathers  came, 
Lone  pilgrims  of  a  thousand  years, 

To  bear  the  burden  of  a  name 

Amid  new  ways  and  unlaid  fears — 

Still  rings  His  message  and  His  cause: 

To  teach  all  men  His  sacred  laws. 

No  warring  hosts  our  grand-sires  marched, 
Sword-bound  and  panting  for  the  spoil, 

Long  suffering  from  want,  and  parched, 

They  mixed  their  heart  throbs  with  the  soil 

That  here,  beneath  these  skies,  His  cause 

Might  live  in  men  and  be  their  laws. 

364 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

The  law  of  love  was  in  their  heart, 

Made  warm  through  grief,  grown  strong  through 

pain, 
They  mingled  at  the  wharf  and  mart 

Unweaponing  the  strife  of   gain — 
To  make  all  men  uphold  His  cause 
And  write  upon  their  hearts  His  laws. 

Long  years  are  done.     And  we  this  day 

Praise  Him  who  prospered  land  and  men; 

Our  star  of  glory  fades  away 
To  spaces  hidden  from  our  ken, 

Unless  each  one  espouse  His  cause, 

Whose  love  gave  us  the  Book  of  Laws. 

O  Lord,  who  guided  Israel's  host 

Across  strange  seas,   to  shores  unknown, 

Without  Thee  all  our  hope  is  lost 

And  seaward  all  our  pomp  is  blown: — 

Still  stands  the  edict  of  His  cause 

Proclaimed  of  old  in  Sinai's  laws. 

JOSEPH  LEISER. 

The  Heavenly  Light 

Shevuoth 

\WHEN  Israel  in  the  wilderness 

Had   fled  from  Pharaoh's  cruel  might, 
The  Eternal  sent,  to  lead  them  on, 
A  cloud  by  day,  a  fire  by  night. 

And,  guided  by  that  heavenly  flame, 

The  beacon   from  Jehovah's  hand, 
The  chosen  people  safely  reached 

Their  destined  goal,  the  promised  land. 

Yet  not  alone  in  days  of  yore 

Has  God  his  wondrous  mercies  shown, 

For  still  He  grants  to  all  mankind 
A  glorious  light  to  lead  them  on. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  lamp  of  radiant,  glowing  hue, 

By  Israel  borne  in  every  clime, 
Through  fire  and  flood,  through  tears  and  blood. 

With  courage  grand  and  faith  sublime. 

t 
When  all  the  world  was  steeped  in  sin, 

The  Hebrews  braved  the  nations'  wrath 
And   nobly   followed    still   the   guide 

That  led  them  on  in  virtue's  path. 

That  beacon  is  the  Decalogue, 

Proclaimed   from   Sinai's  flaming  height, 
And  burning,  as  each  age  rolls  by, 

With  purer,   grander,  holier  light. 

Oh  glorious  flame !  Thy  sparkling  beams 
With  radiant  splendour  shine  to-day; 

Nor  time,  nor  change,  nor  tyrant's  power 
Can  quench  or  dim  one  holy  ray. 

Oh,   heavenly   lamp!     Thy  light   shall   shine 
Till  sin  and  hate  from  earth  depart; 

Till  wrong  shall  fail  and  right  prevail, 
And  justice  rule  the  human  heart. 

May  that  bright  beacon  guide  us  still, 
E'en  like  God's  own  untiring  hand, 

That  we,  when  this  life's  storms  are  o'er, 
May  reach  with  joy  the  heavenly  land. 

MAX  MEYERHARDT. 


Pentecost 

OWN  by  the  shining  sea, 
Its    swelling    waves   in   sight — 
A  bare  unvarnished   hall, 
Without,  the  working  world 
Its  daily  tasks   did  fill; 

366 


THE    JEWISH    YEAR 


I    stood   within,    and    heard 
And  watched  the  passing  scene. 
It  was  that  day  of  days, 
The  birthday  of  the  Law. 

An  altar,   rude  of  wood, 

Stood    plainly   fashioned    forth, 

But  pious  hands  had  placed 

A  silken  curtain  there, 

And  'neath  its  heavy  folds 

In   'broidered  velvet  wround, 

And  hung  with  silver  chains, 

There  stood  the  sacred  Law, 

The  parchment  scroll  of  old, 

With   its  strange   Hebrew   script. 

The  sunlight  clear  and  strong 

That  through  the  window  shone, 

Like  the  Shekinah  old, 

Looked  just  a  sacred  fire 

That  burned  about  the  ark, 

And  seemed   to  write  God's  name0 

A  man  of  humble  mien, 

And  humbler  still  in   garb, 

Stood  forth  and  said   the  prayers, 

And  read  the  scrolled  Law ; 

Tho  poor  and  mean  he  was, 

Yet  great  and   grand   he  seemed, 

All  garmented  and  robed 

In  a  strange  majesty; 

The  ancient  praying-shawl 

About  his  shoulders  wrapt, 

And  on  his  brow  that  look 

Of  very  priest  of  God — 

And  presently  there  rose 

The  people  reverently, 

And  stood  with  heads  all  bowed, 

While  in  a  tone  of  awe, 

And  in  its  ancient  tongue, 

The  Decalogue  was  read. 

367 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Then  solemnly  "Amen" 

Was  said,   as  said   of   old, 

While  candles  slim  and  white 

Burned   bright   on   either  side, 

And  two  most  reverent  men 

A  guard  of  honor  stood. 

The  mean  hall   fell  away — 

The  people  disappeared — 

The  sounds  all   hushed   and   died; 

But  round  about  me  closed 

The  sunlight  shining  full 

Like  spirit  of  the  Lord. 

I    saw   the   lightning's    flash, 

I  heard  the  thunder  roll; 

The  strange,  lone  mountain  peak 

In  Eastern  desert  sand 

Rose  plain  before  my  eyes; 

I  felt  the  heaving  earth 

About  Mount  Sinai's  feet, 

While  trembling  slaves  made  free 

Stood  ready  to  be  men, 

And  vowed  their  sacred  oath 

To  take  the  righteous  Law; 

To  teach  it  to  all  men, 

Through   ages   that   might    roll. 

And  so  this  poor  mean  room 
That  held  me  in  a  spell, 
Swelled  to  a  grandeur  vast, 
A  temple  great  and  rich, 
With   altar  of  pure  gold, 
That  held   a  jewel  rare 
And  single  in  its  worth. 
The  men  before  me  seemed 
To  grow  in  statured  height, 
To  put  an  air  and  mien 
Of  greatness  and  of  power, 
Attendants  on  a  Lord, 
Who   owned   the  Jewel   there — 

368 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Who  felt  and  knew  that  they 
Were  guardians  safe  and  true, 
With  privilege  to  bear 
The  Treasure  of  the  Lord. 

ANNETTE  KOHN. 


The  Fast  of  Tebeth 

|    O !  I  recall  the  siege  which  fell  on  me : 
•^     Within  this  month  He  struck  me;  He  destroyed 
With   three   blows ;— cut  me   down   and   left  •  me 

void ; — 
Now  He  hath  made  me  weary  utterly. 

He  silenced  on  the  eighth  day  all  my  throng; 

(Have  I  not  for  three  things  a  fast  proclaimed?) 
The   King   bade ;   write    the    law    in    Greek ;    they 
maimed, 

They  ploughed  on  me;  they  made  their  furrows  long. 

Upon  the  ninth  day — wrath,  disgrace,  and  shame! 

Stripped  off  was  my  fair  robe  in  honor  worn ; 

For  he  who  gave  sweet  words  was  surely  torn: 
Ezra  the  scribe — yea,  he  of  blessed  name. 

The  tenth  day;  then  the  seer  was  bidden:  "Yea 
Write  thee  within  the  book  of  vision;  write 
This  for  remembrance;  now  shalt  thou  indite 

For  them  despised  and  crushed  this  self-same  day." 

Counting  the  months,  within  the  tenth  the  woe 
And  wail  he  wakened ;  but  the  sorrow's  smart — 
Its  onward  way  was  branded  on  my  heart 

When  one  came  saying:  "The  city  is  struck  low." 

For  these  things  I  have  scattered  o'er  me  dust; 

O   that  a  shaft  had   pierced  mine   heart   that   day! 

For  such  woe  I  would  dig  my  grave ; — but  nay, 
I  wrought  rebelliously :  the  Lord  is  just. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  call  Thee,  Thou  Who  hast  repentance  nigh 
For  mine  affliction;  lo!  my  praying  heed; 
Hear  my  beseeching;  my  salvation  speed; 

Hide  Thee  not  at  my  sighing,  at  my  cry. 

O  moon  of  Tebeth!  exceeding  is  my  sum 

Of  pain  therein,  when  His  face  changed  for  me. 
Yet,  though  I  sinned,  His  goodness  I  shall  see, 
Who  saith:  "Ye  waves,  but  so  far  shall  ye  come." 
JOSEPH  BAR  SAMUEL  TOB  ELEM. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 

Lines  for  the  Ninth  of  Ab 

CHALL  I  sorrow,  oh  desolate  city, 

^       For  thy  beauty  and   glory  o'erthrown ; 

Shall  I  sing  the  dread  day  of  destruction, 

When  thy  sins  thou  didst  dearly  atone — 
When  the  Lord,  from  the  place  He  had  chosen, 

Withdrew  the  strong  shield  of  His  Name, 
And  its  treasures  were  spoiled  by  the  stranger, 

Its  holiness  given  to  shame — 
When  the  shrieks  of  the  daughters  of  Zion 

Sad  echo'd  the  shouts  of  the  foe, 
And  thy  streets,  ravished  City,  ran  crimson 

With  the  blood  of  thy  sons,  lying  low — 
When  the  scepter  departed  from  Judah, 

From  Levi  his  birthright  was  riven, 
And  the  people  of  God  were  led  captive, 

Forsaken  of  earth  and  of  Heaven! 

Or  shall  I  rejoice  in  the  beauty 

And  glory  again  to  be  thine, 
When  thy  youth's  loving  Bridegroom  shall  ran- 
som 

His  promise  of  comfort,  divine- — • 
In  the  courts  of  God's  temple  rebuilded, 

Thy  priests,  morn  and  eve,  shall  proclaim 
"He  is  One!" — and  the  sons  of  the  stranger 

Shall  answer:  "And  One  is  His  Name!" 

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THE    JEWISH    YEAR 

With  chorus  of  praise  shall  thy  daughters 

Reecho  the  Levites'  glad  song, 
And  thy  gates  night  and  day  shall  stand  open 

For  the  pilgrims  that  thitherward  throng. 
For  the  scepter  returneth  to  David, 

The  miter  to  Aaron's  proud  line; 
And  neighbour  shall  welcome  his  neighbour 

To  the  shadow  of  fig-tree  and  vine. 

Like  Akiba,  who  laughed  when  the  foxes 

Ran  out  from  the  Holiest  place, 
Saying:  "True  were  the  warnings  of  evil 

And  true  is  the  promise  of  grace," 
My  thoughts,  on  this  day  of  sad  memories, 

Turn  not  back  to  the  past  in  despair, 
But  forward  in  hope  to  the  future 

Where  visions  of  glory  shine  fair! 
When  I  read  in  the  book  of  the  prophet 

Who  voiced  fallen  Zion's  distress, 
I  seek  not  alone  words  of  grieving, 

But  these  rarer,  that  comfort  and  bless: 
"Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  O  ye  nations, 

In  the  isles  afar  off  be  it  told  ; 
Who  dispersed,  will  again  gather  Israel, 

And  keep — as  a  shepherd  his  fold!" 

SOLOMON  SOLIS  COHEN. 


_.   .  _. 

Ode  to  Zion 

(Hymn  for  the  Fast  of  Ab) 

A  RT  thou  not,  Zion,  fain 

**•       To  send  forth  greetings  from  thy  sacred  rock 
Unto  thy  captive  train, 

Who  greet  thee  as  the  remnants  of  thy  flock? 
Take  thou  on  every  side, 

East,  west,  and  south  and  north,  their  greetings  multi- 
plied. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Sadly  he  greets  thee  still, 

The  prisoner  of  hope  who,  day  and  night, 
Sheds  ceaseless  tears,  like  dew  on  Hermon's  hill. 

Would  that  they  fell  upon  thy  mountain's  height! 

Harsh  is  my  voice,  when  I  bewail  thy  woes. 

But  when  in  fancy's  dream 
I  see  thy  freedom,  forth  its  cadence  flows, 

Sweet  as  the  harps,  that  hung  by  Babel's  stream. 
My  heart  is  sore  distressed 
For  Bethel  ever  blessed, 
For  Peniel  and  each  ancient,  sacred  place. 

The  holy  presence  there 

To  me  is  present,  where 
Thy  Maker  opes  thy  gates,  the  gates  of  heaven  to  face. 

The  glory  of  the  Lord  will  ever  be 

Thy  sole  and  perfect  light; 
No  need  hast  thou  then,  to  illumine  thee, 

Of  sun  by  day,  or  moon  and  stars  by  night. 
I  would  that,  where  God's  spirit  was  of  yore 

Poured  out  upon  thy  holy  ones,  I  might 
There,  too,  my  soul  outpour. 

The  house  of  kings  and  throne  of  God  wert  thou, 

How  comes  it  then  that  now 
Slaves  fill  the  throne  where  sat  thy  kings  before  ? 

Oh,  who  will  lead  me  on 

To  seek  the  spots  where,  in  far  distant  years, 
The  angels  in  their  glory  dawned  upon 

Thy  messengers  and  seers? 
Oh,  who  will  give  me  wings 

That  I  may  fly  away, 
And  there,  at  rest  from  all  my  wanderings, 

The  ruins  of  my  heart  among  thy  ruins  lay? 

I'll  bend  my  face  unto  thy  soil,  and  hold 
Thy  stones  as  precious  gold. 

And  when  in  Hebron  I  have  stood  beside 

372 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

My  father's  tombs,  then  will  I  pass  in  turn 
Thy  plains  and  forest  wide; 

Until  I  stand  on  Gilead  and  discern 

Mount  Hor  and  Mount  Abarim  'neath  whose  crest 
Thy  luminaries  twain,  thy  guides  and  beacons  rest. 

Thy  air  is  life  unto  my  soul,  thy  grains 

Of  dust  are  myrrh,  thy  streams  with  honey  flow; 
Naked  and  barefoot,  to  thy  ruined  fanes 

How  gladly  would  I  go 
To  where  the  ark  was  treasured,  and  in  dim 
Recesses  dwelt  the  holy  cherubim. 

I  rend  the  beauty  of  my  locks,  and  cry 

In  bitter  wrath  against  cruel  fate 
That  bids  thy  holy  Nazirites  to  lie 

In  earth  contaminate. 
How  can  I  make  of  meat  or  drink  my  care? 

How  can  mine  eyes  enjoy 
The  light  of  day,  when  I  see  ravens  tear 

Thy  eagle's  flesh,  and  dogs  thy  lion's  whelps  destroy? 
Away,  thou  cup  of  sorrow's  poisoned  gall! 

Scarce  can  my  soul  thy  bitterness  sustain, 
When  I  Aholah  unto  mind  recall. 

I  taste  the  venom ;  and  when  once  again 
Upon  Aholibah  I  muse,  thy  dregs  I  drain. 

Perfect  in  beauty,  Zion,  how  in  thee 

Do  love  and  grace  unite ! 
The  souls  of  thy  companions  tenderly 

Turn  unto  thee;  thy  joy  was  their  delight, 
And  weeping  they  lament  thy  ruin  now. 

In  distant  exile,  for  thy  sacred  height 
They  long,  and  towards  thy  gates  in  prayer  they  bow. 

Thy  flocks  are  scattered  o'er  the  barren  waste, 
Yet  do  they  not  forget  thy  sheltering  fold, 

Unto  thy  garments'  fringe  they  cling,  and  haste 
The  branches  of  the  palms  to  seize  and  hold, 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Shinar  and  Pathros!  come  they  near  to  thee? 

Naught  are  they  by  thy  light  and  right  divine. 
To  what  can  be  compared  the  majesty 

Of  thy  anointed  line? 
To  what  the  singers,  seers,  and  the  Levites  thine? 

The  rule  of  idols  fails  and  is  cast  down ; 

Thy  power  eternal  is,  from  age  to  age  Thy  crown. 

The  Lord  desires  thee  for  His  dwelling-place 

Eternally,  and  bless'd 
Is  he  whom  God  has  chosen  for  the  grace 

Within  thy  courts  to  rest. 
Happy  is  he  that  watches,  drawing  near, 

Until  he  sees  thy  glorious  lights  arise, 
And  over  whom  thy  dawn  breaks  full  and  clear 

Set  in  the  orient  skies. 
But  happiest  he  who,  with  exultant  eyes, 

The  bliss  of  thy  redeemed  ones  shall  behold, 

And  see  thy  youth  renewed  as  in  days  of  old. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 

Ode  to  Zion 

ZION!   of  thine  exiles'  peace  take  thought, 
The  remnant  of  thy  flock,  who  thine  have  sought ! 
From  west,  from  east,  from  north  and  south  resounds, 
Afar  and  now  anear,  from  all  thy  bounds, 
And  no  surcease, 
"With  thee  be  peace!" 

In  longing's  fetters  chained  I  greet  thee,  too, 
My  tears  fast  welling  forth  like  Hermon's  dew —  ; 
O  bliss  could  they  but  drop  on  holy  hills! 
A  croaking  bird  I  turn,  when  through  me  thrills 
Thy  desolate  state;  but  when  I  dream  anon, 
The  Lord  brings  back  thy  ev'ry  captive  son — 

A  harp  straightway 

To  sing  thy  lay. 

374 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

In  heart  I  dwell  where  once  thy  purest  son 
At  Bethel  and  Peniel,  triumphs  won; 
God's  awesome  presence  there  was  close  to  thee, 
Whose  doors  thy  Maker,  by  divine  decree, 

Opposed  as  mates 

To  heaven's  gates. 

Nor  sun,  nor  moon,  nor  stars  had  need  to  be  ; 
God's  countenance  alone  illumined  thee 
On  whose  elect  He  poured  His  spirit  out. 
In  thee  would  I  my  soul  pour  forth  devout ! 
Thou  wert  the  kingdom's  seat,  of  God  the  throne, 
And  now  there  dwells  a  slave  race,  not  thine  own, 

In  royal  state, 

Where  reigned  thy  great. 

O  would  that  I  could  roam  o'er  ev'ry  place 

Where  God  to  missioned  prophets  showed  His  grace! 

And  who  will  give  me  wings?     An  ofFring  meet, 

I'd  haste  to  lay  upon  thy  shattered  seat, 
^U, 
1  ny  counterpart — 

TI  /r      L       •      j    i_ 

My  bruised  heart. 

Upon  thy  precious  ground  I'd  fall  prostrate, 

Thy  stones  caress,  the  dust  within  thy  gate, 

And  happiness  it  were  in  awe  to  stand 

At   Hebron's  graves,   the  treasures  of  thy  land, 

And  greet  thy  woods,  thy  vine-clad  slopes,  thy  vales, 

Greet  Abarim  and  Hor,  whose  light  ne'er  pales, 

A  radiant  crown, 

Thy  priests'  renown. 

Thy  air  is  balm  for  souls;  like  myrrh  thy  sand; 
With  honey  run  the  rivers  of  thy  land. 
Though  bare  my  feet,  my  heart's  delight  I'd  count 
To  tread  rny  way  all  o'er  thy  desert  mount, 

Where  once  rose  tall 

Thy  holy  hall. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Where  stood  thy  treasure-ark,  in  recess  dim, 
Close-curtained,  guarded  o'er  by  cherubim, 
My  Naz'rite's  crown  would  I  pluck  off,  and  cast 
It  gladly  forth.     With  curses  would  I  blast 
The  impious  time  thy  people,  diadem-crowned, 
Thy  Nazirites,  did  pass,  by  en'mies  bound 

With  hatred's  bands, 

Through  unclean  lands. 

By  dogs  thy  lusty  lions- are  brutal  torn 

And  dragged;  thy  strong,  young  eaglets,  heav'nward 

borne, 

By  foul-mouthed  ravens  snatched,  and  all  undone. 
Can  food  still  tempt  my  taste?     Can  light  of  sun 

Seem  fair  to  shine 

To  eyes  like  mine? 

Soft,  soft!     Leave  off  a  while,  O  cup  of  pain! 
My  loins  are  weighted  down,  my  heart  and  brain, 
With  bitterness  from  thee.     Whene'er  I  think 
Of  Aholah,  proud  northern  queen,  I  drink 
Thy  wrath,  and  when  my  Aholibah  forlorn 
Comes  back  to  mind — 'tis  then  I  quaff  thy  scorn, 

Then,  draught  of  pain, 

Thy  lees   I   drain. 

O  Zion!     Crown  of  grace!     Thy  comeliness 
Hath  ever  favor  won  and  fond  caress. 
Thy  faithful  lovers'  lives  are  bound  in  thine; 
They  joy  in  thy  security,  but  pine 

And  weep  in  gloom 

O'er  thy  sad  doom. 

From  out  the  prisoner's  cell  they  sigh  for  thee, 
And  each  in  prayer,  wherever  he  may  be, 
Towards  thy  demolished  portals  turns.     Exiled, 
Dispersed  from  mount  to  hill,  thy  flock  defiled 
Hath  not  forgot  thy  sheltering  fold.     They  grasp 
Thy  garment's  hem,  and  trustful,  eager,  clasp 

With  outstretched  arms, 

Thy  branching  palms. 

376 


THE   JEWISH    YEAR 

Shinar,  Pathros — can  they  in  majesty 
With  thee  compare?     Or  their  idolatry 
With  thy  Urim  and  thy  Thummim  august? 
Who  can  surpass  thy  priests,  thy  saintly  just, 

Thy  prophets  bold, 

And  bards  of  old? 

The   heathen   kingdoms   change    and   wholly   cease — 

Thy  might  alone  stands  firm  without  decrease, 

Thy  Nazarites  from  age  to  age  abide, 

Thy  God  in  thee  desireth  to  reside. 

Then  happy  he  who  maketh  choice  of  thee 

To  dwell  within  thy  courts,  and  waits  to  see, 

And  toils  to  make, 

Thy  light  awake. 

On  him  shall  as  the  morning  break  thy  light, 
The  bliss  of  thy  elect  shall  glad  his  sight, 
In  thy  felicities  shall  he  rejoice, 
In  triumph  sweet  exult,  with  jubilant  voice, 
O'er  thee,  adored, 
To  youth  restored. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


In  Memoriam,  Ninth  of  Ab 

A  ND  all  is  lost!     Thy  valiant  sons  are  dead 
•**Or  slaves !     The  crown  from  off  thy  queenly  brow 

Is  plucked !     Thy  glory  in  the  dust  doth  bow ! 
Thine  ancient  splendours  are  for  ever  fled ! 
I  see  it  all — thine  altars  gory  red: — 

Around,  Death  lays  the  mighty  heroes  low, 

Awhile,  revengeful  and  relentless  glow 
The  fiendish  flames,  and  from  the  foot  to  head 

Consume  the  Sanctuary!     O  woeful  day! 

When  Temple,  Country,  Freedom,  all  in  one, 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Most  dire  destruction,  fell!     Then  to  the  skies 
Uprose  the  bitter  cry  of  dark  dismay, 
Oh,  God,  Almighty  Lord,  forgive,  condone, 

And  in  Thy  glory,  make  our  glory  rise! 

BEN  AVROM. 


A  Thought  for  the  Ninth  of  Ab 

CWINGING  low  by  a  garden  wall 
^      A  flower  bent  its  head, 
Only  a  few  its  beauty  knew, 
And  the  fragrance  sweet  it  shed. 

But  a  wind  blew  rough  on  the  blossom  rare, 
And  its  seeds  were  scattered  wide, 

Now  one  finds  its  bloom,  where'er  there's  room 
On  the  great  green  countryside! 


So  stood  the  shrine  on  Zion's  hill, 

For  Truth's  Temple   fair, 
'But  all  too  few  its  beauty  knew — 

Men  knew  not  Truth  dwelt  there. 

But  came  the  foe  like  shattering  storm, 

And  Temple  walls  laid  low, 
'Neath  weeping  skies  the  ruin  lies 

'Mid  wails  of  mortal  woe. 

But  like  windblown  blossom  then 

The  precious  seeds  were  blown, 
And  Truth  spread  wide  on  every  side 

Where'er  the  seeds  were  sown! 

HADASSAH. 


378 


V 
LITURGICAL 


Hymn  of  Unity 

YjT/HO  shall  narrate  Thy  wonders  wrought  of  old  ? 
"      The  utterance  of  the  lips  Thou  didst  create, 
But  all  Thy  majesty  and  power  untold, 
Who  shall  narrate? 

Thy  ways  on  earth  in  song  we  celebrate, 

Though  none  may  Thy  similitude  behold, 

Yet  know  we  by  Thy  works  that  Thou  art  great. 

Thousands  of  angels,  by  Thy  word  controll'd 
To  do  thy  bidding,   Thy  commands  await: 
Yet  of  them  all,  Thy  wonders  manifold 
Who  shall  narrate? 

SAMUEL  BEN  KALONYMUS. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


The  Hymn  of  Glory 

I 

C  WEET  hymns  shall  be  my  chant  and  woven  songs, 
*"*   For   Thou   art   all   for  which   my   spirit   longs — 

To  be  within  the  shadow  of  Thy  hand 
And  all  Thy  mystery  to  understand. 

The  while  Thy  glory  is  upon  my  tongue, 

My  inmost  heart  what  love  of  Thee  is  wrung. 

So  though  Thy  mighty  marvels  I  proclaim, 

'Tis  songs  of  love  wherewith  I  greet  Thy  name. 

II 

I  have  not  seen  Thee,  yet  I  tell  Thy  praise, 
Nor  known  Thee,  yet  I  image  forth  Thy  ways. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

For  by  Thy  seers'  and  servants'  mystic  speech 
Thou  didst  Thy  sov'ran  splendor  darkly  teach. 

And  from  the  grandeur  of  Thy  work  they  drew 
The  measure  of  Thy  inner  greatness  too. 

They  told  of  Thee,  but  not  as  Thou  must  be, 
Since  from  Thy  work  they  tried  to  body  Thee. 

To  countless  visions  did  their  pictures  run, 

Behold  through  all  the  visions  Thou  art  one. 

' 

in 

In  Thee  old  age  and  youth  at  once  were  drawn, 
The  grey  of  eld,  the  flowing  locks  of  dawn, 

The  ancient  Judge,  the  youthful  Warrior, 
The  Man  of  Battles,  terrible  in  war, 

The  helmet  of  salvation  on  His  head, 
And  by  His  hand  and  arm  the  triumph  led. 

His  head  all  shining  with  the  dew  of  light, 
His  locks  of  dripping  with  the  drops  of  night. 

WO 
IV 

I  glorify  Him,  for  He  joys  in  me, 

My  crown  of  beauty  He  shall  ever  be! 

His  head  is  like  pure  gold;  His  forehead's  flame 
Is  graven  glory  of  His  holy  name. 

And  with  that  lovely  diadem  'tis  graced, 
The  coronal  His  people  there  have  placed. 

TT.    ,    ,  i     i      j     r         r  •        •     j  aiT* 

His  hair  as  on  the  head  of  youth  is  twined, 

In  wealth  of  raven  curls  it  flows  behind. 

His  circlet  is  the  home  of  righteousness; 
Ah,  may  He  love  His  highest  rapture  less! 

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LITURGICAL 

And  be  His  treasured  people  in  His  hand 
A  diadem  His  kingly  brow  to  band. 

By  Him  they  were  uplifted,  carried,  crowned, 
Thus  honored  inasmuch  as  precious  found. 

• 

His  glory  is  on  me,  and  mine  on  Him, 
And  when  I  call  He  is  not  far  or  dim. 

Ruddy  in  red  apparel,  bright  He  glows 

When  He  from  treading  Edom's  wine-press  goes. 

Phylacteried  the  vision  Moses  viewed 
The  day  he  gazed  on  God's  similitude. 

He  loves  His  folk;  the  meek  will  glorify, 
And,  shrined  in  prayer,  draw  their  rapt  reply. 

: 

V 

Truth  is  Thy  primal  word ;  at  Thy  behest 
The  generations  pass — O  and  our  quest 

For  Thee,  and  set  my  host  of  songs  on  high, 
And  let  my  psalmody  come  very  nigh. 

; 

My  praises  as  a  coronal  account, 
And  let  my  prayer  as  Thine  incense  mount. 

Deem  precious  unto  Thee  the  poor  man's  song, 
As  those  that  to  Thine  altar  did  belong. 

Rise,  O  my  blessing,  to  the  Lord  of  birth, 

The  breeding,  quickening,  righteous  force  of  earth. 

Do  Thou  receive  it  with  acceptant  nod, 
My  choicest  incense  offered  to  my  God. 

And  let  my  meditation  grateful  be, 
For  all  my  being,  is  athirst  for  Thee. 

JUDAH  HE-HASID. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Hymn  of  Glory 

CWEET    hymns    I    chant,    and    weave    melodious 

^  songs 

My  God,  to  Thee,  for  whom  my  being  longs. 

0  let  my  soul  beneath  Thy  sheltr'ing  hand 
Enshaded,  all  Thy  secrets  understand. 
Whene'er  in  words  Thy  glory  I  would  prove, 
My  panting  heart  yearns  ever  for  Thy  love. 
So  when  in  glorious  praise  of  Thee  I  sing, 
With  loving  cadences  my  voice  shall  ring. 

1  tell  Thy  glory,  God  unknown  by  me, 

In  metaphors  by  prophet  lips  expressed, 
Drawing  from  out  Thine  actions  manifest, 
A  likeness  of  Thy  power  not  of  Thee. 

They  imaged  Thee  in  visions  manifold, 

Though  Thou  art  One  beneath  all  images; 
They  saw  Thee  both  in  Age  and  Youthfulness, 

Black-haired  in  youth  or  grey  as  one  grown  old. 

Aged  as  Judge,  and  Young  when  war's  alarm 
To  manful  striving  calls.     Then  on  Thy  brow 
A  helm  of  triumph  binding,  forth  goest  Thou 

Victorious  through  Thy  right  and  holy  arm. 

With  dews  of  light  His  head  is  crowned,   His  hair 
Heavy  with  night-drops  glistens ;  He  shall  be 
By  me  adorned  for  He  delights  in  me, 

My  garland  He,  the  beauteous  crown  I  wear. 

Like  purest  gold  His  lustrous  head  does  shine, 
Graven  in  words,  His  holy  name  outstands, 
Its  radiance  brightened,  by  His  people's  hands, 

Who  bind  a  crown  unto  His  crown  divine. 

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LITURGICAL 

And  poets  pictured  His  young  loveliness, 

His  black  locks  flowing  in  their  curled  array, 
Thus  saw  they  Him.     Yet  knew  His  fairest  trait, 

His  beauty's  chosen  Home,  was  righteousness. 

His  treasured   people  were  His  royal  crown, 
He  bore  them,  they  were  precious  in  His  eyes; 
His  glory  on  me  rests,  mine  on  Him  lies, 

He  honours  me  when  others  cast  me  down. 

In  ruddy  robe,  as  one  whose  red  feet  fall 

On  Edom's  vines,  comes  He  a  God  of  Woe! 
The  God  of  Grace  who  did  to  Moses  show 

The  symbol  of  His  love  embracing  all. 

His  wrath  the  proud,  His  love  the  humble  find, 
His  heart  delights  to  glorify  the  meek; 
His  seekers  He,  with  answering  search,  does  seek; 

Thus  runs  His  truth,  revealed  to  all  mankind. 

Then  let  my  songs,  my  joyous  ecstasies, 

Unto  Thy  diadem  a  gem  confer; 

Or  as  the  scented  cassia  and  myrrh, 
In  fragrant  incense  unto  Thee  arise. 

Do  Thou  as  precious  hold  the  poor  man's  cry 

As  psalmody  anigh  Thine  altar  sung; 

And  may  my  gift,  those  blessed  gifts  among, 
Find  gracious  way  to  Thee  enthroned  on  high. 

And  when  I  praise  Thee,  bounteous  Lord,  in  song 
O  deem  my  offering  the  choicest  spice; 
And  let  my  thoughts  be  a  sweet  sacrifice, 

To  lift  my  heart  to  Thee,  for  whom  I  long. 

(Translated  by  I.  A.) 


385 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Hymn  of  Glory 

CWEET  hymns  and  songs  will  I  indite 
^  To  sing  of  Thee  by  day  and  night, 
Of  Thee,  who  art  my  soul's  delight. 

How  doth  my  soul  within  me  yearn 
Beneath  Thy  shadow  to  return, 
Thy  sacred  mysteries  to  learn. 

And  even  while  yet  Thy  glory  fires 
My  words,  and  hymns  of  praise  inspires, 
Thy  love  it  is  my  heart  desires. 

Therefore  will.  I  of  Thee  relate 

All  glorious  things,  and  celebrate 

In  songs  of  love  Thy  name  most  great. 

Thy  glory  shall  my  discourse  be, 
In  images  I  picture  Thee, 
Although  Thyself  I   cannot  see. 

In  mystic  utterances  alone 

By  prophet  and  by  seer  made  known, 

Hast  Thy  radiant  glory  shown. 

Thy   might   and    greatness   they   portrayed 
According  to  the  power  displayed, 
In  all  the  works  Thy  hand  has  made. 

In  images  of  Thee  they  told 

Of  Thy  great  wonders  wrought  of  old, 

Thy  essence  could  they  not  behold. 

In  signs  and  visions  seen  of  yore 
They  pictured  Thee  in  ancient  lore, 
But  Thou  art  One  for  evermore. 

386 


LITURGICAL 

They  saw  in  Thee  both  youth  and  age, 
The  man  of  war,  the  hoary  sage, 
But  ever  Israel's  heritage. 

O  Thou  whose  word  is  truth  alway, 
Thy  people  seek  Thy  face  this  day, 
O  be  Thou  near  them  when  they  pray. 

May  these,  my  songs  and  musings,  be 

Acceptable,  O  Lord,  to  Thee 

And  do  Thou  hear  them  graciously. 

O  let  my  praises  heavenward  sped, 
Be  as  a  crown  unto  Thy  head. 
My  prayer  as  incense  offered! 


O  may  my  words  of  blessings  rise 
To  Thee,  who  throned  above  the  skies, 
Art  just  and  mighty,  great  and  wise! 

And  when  Thy  glory  I  declare 

Do  Thou  incline  Thee  to  my  prayer, 

As  though  sweet  spice  my  offering  were. 

° 

™  i.      •  j.i 

My  meditation  day  and  night 

May  it  be  pleasant  in  Thy  sight, 
For  Thou  art  all  my  soul's  delight. 

(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


The  Kaddish 

A  CCORDING  to  His  righteous  will, 
^  Be  magnify'd  and  hallow'd  still, 
Throughout  the  world,  His  glorious  name — 
The  world  which  at  His  summons  came. 
And  let  Him  suddenly  and  soon, 
In  glory,  like  the  sun  at  noon, 

387 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

On  earth  establish,  to  His  praise, 
His  kingdom  in  your  lives  and  days, 
And  in  the  lives  of  all  the  race 
Of  Israel,  and  fulfil  his  grace, 

O  house  of  Israel,  fear  the  Lord, 
And  say,  Amen,  with  one  accord. 
Amen!     His  glorious  name  be  blest 
For  evermore,  through  east  and  west. 

Still  blessed,  prais'd,  with  glory  crowned, 
Exalted,  magnified  around, 
Rever'd,  extoll'd,  and  lauded  be 
His  holy  name,  for  bless'd  is  He 
'Bove  blessings  all,  or  hymns  sublime, 
Or  praises  in  the  tents  of  time, 
Or  blessednesses  said  or  sung 
By  mortal  or  immortal  tongue. 

O  house  of  Israel^  fear  the  Lord; 
And  say,  Amen,  with  one  accord. 

Let  all  the  race  of  Israel's  pray'rs 
And   supplications,    in   their   cares, 
Be  grateful  in  their  Father's  sight, 
Who's  high  in  heaven,  enthron'd  in  light. 

O  house  of  Israel,  fear  the  Lord; 
And  say,  Amen,  with  one  accord. 

Let  peace,  and  joy,  and  bliss  from  heav'n, 
From  day  to  day  be  freely  giv'n; 
With  life  to  us  and  ours  in  store, 
And  each  of  Israel,  evermore, 

O  house  of  Israel,  fear  the  Lord; 
And  say,  Amen,  with  one  accord. 

Let  Him,  whose  blessings  never  cease, 
Who  through  his  lofty  heav'ns  makes  peace, 
Make  ever  peace  with  us  to  dwell, 
And  all  the  race  of  Israel. 

O  house  of  Israel,   fear  the  Lord; 
And  say,  Amen,  with  one  accord.          W.  W. 

388 


LITURGICAL 


Ode  on  Chazanuth 

A  RISE  and  sing,  thou  deathless  melody — 
*"  Life's  blended  song — 

Bearing  on  wings  of  sound  aloft  with  thee 
A  mortal  throng. 

Lo,  living  yet,  beloved,  lingering  strain, 

My  harp  of  old, 
Voice  of  a  patience  that  hath  borne  the  pain 

Of  years  untold! 

Each  olden  chord  awaketh,  every  tone, 

Soaring  at  length, 

Mingling  a  mighty  gladness  with  a  groan 
Of  fallen  strength. 

Angels  be  gathering  Earth's  ascending  prayer, 

That,   heavenward  bound, 
Shall  deck  the  Throne  with  wreathed   garlands  fair 

Of  wafted  sound. 

Song  of  the  ages,  lo!  the  fettered  soul 

Shall  break  its  bond, 
And,  wrapt  in  thee,  look  forth  upon  the  whole 

Of  Heaven  beyond. 

Sing  on,  sweet  minstrel,  thine  immortal  song — 

My  harp  for  aye, 
Vision  of  hope  to  men  that  live  and  long 

And  pass  away, 

NINA  DAVIS. 


389 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


A  don  Olam 

ORD  over  all!  whose  power  the  sceptre  swayed, 
Ere  first  Creation's  wondrous  form  was  framed, 
When  by  Hi^will  divine  all  things  were  made; 
Then  King  Almighty  was  His  name  proclaimed ! 

When  all  shall  cease — the  universe  be  o'er, 
In  awful  greatness  He  alone  will  reign, 

Who  was,  who  is,  and  who  will  evermore 
In   glory  most  refulgent  still  remain. 

Sole  God!  unequalled,  and  beyond  compare, 

Without  division  or  associate; 
Without  commencing  date  or  final  year, 

Ominpotent   He  reigns  in  awful   state. 

To  Him,  no  like,  no  equal  e'er  can  be  ; 

He,  without  change  or  substitute  remains, 
Without  divisibleness  or  adjunct,   He 

In  highest  might  and   power  supremely  reigns. 

He  is  my  God !  my  living  Savior  He ! 

My   sheltering  Rock  in  sad  misfortune's  hour! 
My  standard,  refuge,  portion,  still  shall  be, 

My  lot's  Disposer  when  I  seek  His  power. 

Into  His  hands  my  spirit  I  consign 

Whilst  wrapped  in  sleep,  that  I  again  may  wake: 
And  with  my  soul,  my  body  I  resign  ; 

The  Lord  with  me, — no  fears  my  soul  can  shake. 

D.  A.  DE  SOLA. 

Adon  Olam 

[    ORD  of  the  world,  He  reigned  alone 
w       While  yet  the  universe  was  naught, 

When  by  His  will  all  things  were  wrought, 
Then  first  His  sovran  name  was  known. 

390 


LITURGICAL 

And  when  the  All  shall  cease  to  be, 
In  dread  lone  splendor  He  shall  reign. 
He  was,  He  is,  He  shall  remain 

In  glorious  eternity. 

For  He  is  one,  no  second  shares 

His  nature  or  His  loneliness; 

Unending  and  beginningless, 
All  strength  is  His,  all  sway  He  bears. 

He  is  the  living  God  to  save, 

My  Rock  while  sorrow's  toils  endure, 
My  banner  and  my  stronghold  sure, 

The  cup  of  life  whene'er  I  crave. 

I  place  my  soul  within  His  palm 

Before   I  sleep  as  when  I   wake, 

And  though  my  body  I  forsake, 
Rest  in  the  Lord  in  fearless  calm. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 

Adon  Olam 

DEIGNED  the  universe's  Master,  ere  were  earthly 

^       things  begun; 
When  his  mandate  all  created  Ruler  was  the  name 

He  won; 
And  alone  He'll  rule  tremendous  when  all  things  are 

past  and  gone. 
He  no  equal  has,  nor  consort,   He,  the  singular  and 

lone, 
Has  no  end  and  no  beginning;  His  the  sceptre,  might, 

and  throne, 
He's  my  God  and  living  Saviour,   rock  to  whom   in 

need  I  run; 
He's  my  banner  and  my  refuge,  fount  of  weal  when 

called  upon; 
In  His  hand  I  place  my  spirit,  at  night-fall  and  rise 

of  sun, 
And  therewith  my  body  also;  God's  my  God — I  fear 

no  one.  GEORGE  BORROW. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Paraphrase  of  Adon  Olam 

DEFORE  the  glorious  orbs  of  light, 
•^       Had  shed  one  blissful  ray, 
In  awful  power,  the  Lord  of  might 
Reign'd  in  eternal  day. 

At  His  creative,  holy  word 

The  voice  of  nature  spoke, 
Unnumber'd  worlds  with  one  accord, 

To  living  joys  awoke. 

Then  was  proclaim'd  the  mighty  King, 

In  majesty  on  high! 
Then  did  the  holy  creatures  sing 

His  praises  through  the  sky. 

All  merciful  in  strength  he  reigns 

Immutable!  supreme! 
His  hand  the  universe  sustains, 

He  only  can  redeem. 

He  is  the  mighty  God  alone! 

His  presence  fills  the  world; 
He  will  forever  reign  the  one, 

Eternal,  only  Lord! 

Almighty,  powerful  and  just! 

Thou  art  my  God,  my  friend, 
My  rock,  my  refuge  and  my  trust, 

On  Thee  my  hopes  depend. 

O !  be  my  guardian  whilst  I  sleep, 
For  Thou  didst  lend  me  breath : 

And  when  I  wake,  my  spirit  keep, 
And  save  my  soul  in  death. 

DAVID  NUNES  CARVALHO. 


392 


LITURGICAL 

Adon  Olam 

BEFORE  Thy  heavenly  word  revealed  the  wonders 
of  Thy  will; 
Before  the  earth  and  heaven  came  forth  from  chaos 

deep  and  still; 
E'en  then  thou  reignedest  Lord  supreme  as  Thou  wilt 

ever  reign, 

And  moved  Thy  holy  spirit  o'er  the  dark  unfathomed 
main. 

But  when  through  all  the  empty  space  Thy  mighty 

voice  was  heard, 
Then  darkness  fled  and  heavenly  light  came  beaming 

at  Thy  word ; 
All  Nature  then  proclaimed  Thee  King  most  blessed 

and  adored, 
The  great  Creator,  God  alone,  the  Universal  Lord! 

And  when  this  vast  created  world  returns  to  endless 

night, 
When  heaven  and  earth  shall  fade  away  at  Thy  dread 

word  of  Might,  . 

Still  Thou  in  majesty  will  rule,  Almighty  One,  alone, 
Great    God,    with    mercy    infinite,    on    Thy   exalted 

throne. 

Immortal  Power!    Eternal  One!  with  Thee  what  can 

compare  ? 
Thy  glory  shines  in  heaven  and  earth,  and   fills  the 

ambient  air; 
All  time,  all  space,  by  Thee  illumed,  grows  bright  and 

brighter  still, 
Obedient  to  Thy  high  behest,  and  to  Thy  heavenly 

will. 

To  Thee  dominion  sole  belongs  and  'tis  to  Thee  alone, 
My   Father,    Saviour,   Living  God,   I  make  my  sor- 
rows known. 

393 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thy  love,  celestial  and  divine,  descends  upon  my 
heart, 

Inspiring  courage,  hope  and  joy,  and  bidding  grief  de- 
part. 

Protected   by  Thy  boundless  love,  my  body  sinks  to 

rest; 
My  soul  within  Thy  Heavenly  arm,  reposes  calm  and 

blest. 
Lord  of  my  life!  in  darkened  night  I  sleep  and  have 

no  fear, 

And  in  early  dawn  I  wake  and  find  Thee  ever  near. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Adon  Olam 


PHE   everlasting  Lord  who   reigned 

Ere  yet  was  formed  or  shape  or  thing, 
When  all  was  made  as  he  decreed 
Was  even  then  acknowledged  King. 

And  after  all  that  is  shall  end, 

Alone  shall  reign  the  feared  one — He 
In  his  resplendence  glorious 
.    Who  was,  who  is,  and  who  will  be. 

And  He  is  one  and  there  is  none, 
No  second  to  compare  or  share — 

Without  beginning,   without  end — 
In  his  dominion  everywhere. 

He  is  my  God — my  helper  lives — 

My  rock  when   grievous  times  befall, 

My  banner  He,  my  refuge  He, 

And  my  cup's  portion,  when  I  call. 

Within  His  hand  I  trust  my  soul 

In  sleep  and  waking — He  is  near — 
^no   And  with  my  soul,  my  body,  too: 

The  Lord's  with  me;  I  have  no  fear. 

JESSIE  E.  SAMPTER. 

394 


LITURGICAL 

Adon  Olam 
(A  paraphrase  for  children.) 

EXTERNAL  Lord,  His  praise  I  sing, 
^       Who  reigned  before  the  world  was  wrought ; 
Creation's  voice  acclaimed   Him   King, 
Whose  Word  created  all   from   nought. 

And  when  all  things  shall  pass  away, 

He  will  not  pass,  He  still  will  reign, 
Alone,  unchang'd,  of  sovereign  sway, 
He  was,  He  is,  He  will  remain. 

Yea,  He  is  One,  no  second  dares 

Compare  with  Him  in  wondrous  might; 

None  owns  His  strength;  His  throne  none  shares; 
Without  beginning,   infinite. 

My  God,  my  living  Saviour  He; 

My  Rock  of  Hope  in  sorrow's  hour; 
I  thirst — my  cup  He  fills  for  me; 

He  is  my  Beacon   and   my  Tower. 

. 
Whene'er  I  sleep,  whene'er  I  wake, 

With  Him  I  leave  my  soul  so  dear: 
His  care  may  He  my  body  make! 

God  guarding  me,  I  have  no  fear. 

ISRAEL  GOLLANCZ. 


Our  Creed 

"THERE  is  one  only  God 
**    Through  nature's  vast  domains; 
A  God  of  Righteousness, 

Whose  love  fore'er  remains, 

395 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

None  can  compare  to  Him, 

Eternal  is  His  name, 
He  was  of  old,  He  is, 

And  will  be  e'er  the  same. 

He  is  the  First  and  Last, 

And  absolutely  One, 
Without  divided  parts, 

And  equal  has  He  none. 
Unchanging  is  His  law, 

Immutable  His  will, 
And  though  we  often  err, 

His  mercy  guards  us  still. 

Our  inmost  secret  thought 

Before  Him  open  lies, 
Our  deeds  are  all  observed 

By  His  all-seeing  eyes. 
All  goodness  He  rewards, 

On  sin  He  sends  a  blight, 
The  clean  and  pure  of  heart 

Are  His  supreme  delight. 

This  uncreated  God, 

O  man,  is  Father,  Friend; 
The  heavens,  earth  and  seas 

He  made  from  end  to  end. 
He  is  the  King  of  kings, 

Of  lords  the  highest  Lord, 
By  all  that  has  life's  breath 

He  is  to  be  adored. 

To  love  Him  we  must  do 

True  service  for  mankind, 
For  thus,  a  paradise 

On  earth  we  all  shall  find. 
In  His  most  loving  hands 

Our  souls  in  faith  we  place, 
In  life  and  death  we  trust 

His  justice  and  His  grace. 

J.  LEONARD  LEVY. 

396 


LITURGICAL 


Yigdal 

HP  HE  living  God,  O  magnify  and  bless, 

Transcending  Time  and  here  eternally. 
One  Being,  yet  unique  in  unity; 
A  mystery  of  Oneness  measureless. 

Lo!  form  or  body  He  has  none,  and  man 
No  semblance  of  His  holiness  can  frame. 
Before  -Creation's  dawn  He  was  the  same  ; 
The  first  to  be,  though  never  He  began. 

He  is  the  world's  and  every  creature's  Lord ; 
His  rule  and  majesty  are  manifest, 
And  through  His  chosen,  glorious  sons  exprest 
In  prophecies  that  through  their  lips  are  poured. 

Yet  never  like  to  Moses  rose  a  seer, 
Permitted  glimpse  behind  the  veil  divine. 
This  faithful  prince  of  God's  prophetic  line 
Received  the  Law  of  Truth  for  Israel's  ear. 

The  Law  God  gave  He  never  will  amend, 
Nor  ever  by  another  Law  replace. 
Our  secret  things  are  spread  before  His  face; 
In  all  beginnings  He  beholds  the  end. 

The  saint's  reward   He  measures  to  his  meed ; 
The  sinner  reaps  the  harvest  of  his  ways. 
Messiah  He  will  send  at  end  of  days, 
And  all  the  faithful  to  salvation  lead. 

God  will  the  dead  again  to  life  restore 
In  His  abundance  of  almighty  love. 
Then  blessed  be  His  Name,  all  names  above, 
And  let  His  praise  resound  for  evermore. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 


397 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yigdal 

17  XTOLLED  be  the  living  God  and  lauded  be  His 

<L-I       name ; 

He  doth  exist  and  will  thro'  endless  aeons  be  the  same. 

Our  God  is  Unity,  and  Unity  like  His  there's  none; 
Ah!  inconceivable  is  He,,  and  thro'  all  times  is  one. 

He  doth  no  form  nor  shape  nor  yet  our  mortal  fashion 

bear  ; 
In  heav'n,  on  earth,  can  naught  like  to  His  holiness 

compare. 

Prior  to  each  created  thing,  of  wondrous  shape  and 
grace, 

He  was  the  first,  and,  ere  He  was,  can  none  com- 
mencement trace. 

Behold!     He  rules  the  Universe,  His  creatures  teach- 

eth  He 
The    greatness    of    His    awful    might,    His    glorious 

sovereignty. 

The  spirit  of  His  prophecy  hath  Pie  bestowed  on  those 
Whom,    for    the    glory   of    His   name,    our    Heav'nly 
Father  chose. 

Though  great  the  fame  of  Israel's  sons,  meek  Moses 

none  excelled; 
Alone,  among  her  seers,  he  God's  similitude  beheld. 

A  law  of  truth  and  life  He  gave,  our  everlasting  Rock, 

By  him  who  was  the  faithful  guide  and  teacher  of  his 
flock. 

• 

This  law  sublime  and  beautiful,  for  any  new  or 
strange, 

Our  Shield,  thro'  all  eternities,  will  nevermore  ex- 
change. 

398 


LITURGICAL 

The  secret  courses  of  our  thoughts  doth  th'  Allwib, 
watch  and  know; 

And  clear  to  Him,  all  hidden  ends  their  own  com- 
mencements show. 

His  loving  kindness  blesseth  those  who  well  their  task 

fulfil, 
A  chast'ning  hand  falls  heavy  on  transgressors  of  His 

will. 

His  messenger  He'll  surely  send  upon  the  final  day, 
Redeeming  those,  who,  strong  in  faith,  for  His  salva- 
tion stay. 

In  love  He  will  the  dead  revive  that  sleep  beneath  the 
ground, 

For  ever  blessed  be  His  name,  His  praise  fore'er  re- 
sound. 

FLORENCE  AHRONSBERG. 


v    J    i 
Yigdal 

T7XTOL  we  now  the  living  God, 

His  praises  loud   relate, 
Who  is — and  whose  existence  is 
Not  bound  by  time  or  date. 

Who,  One  and  only  One,  alone 

Invisible  doth  dwell; 
And  peerless  in  His  unity, 

His  limit  who  shall  tell? 

Material  form,  similitude, 
Or  likeness,  none  hath  He; 

Nor  can  there  to  His  holiness 
Comparison  e'er  be. 

399 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ere  glad  Creation,  at  His  word, 

To  life  and  light  outburst; 
Of  primal  date — Eternal  He — 

Without  beginning — First ! 

In  all  the  world — the  wide  expanse, 

Its  dwellers  all  around, 
Proclaim  His  might,  His  majesty, 

Which  everywhere  abound. 

Prophetic  powers  he  deigned  below, 

Blest  words  of  revelation, 
To  them,  His  treasured  men  of  worth, 

In  glorious  inspiration. 

But  like  to  Moses  none  arose, 

'Mid  Israel's  chosen  few, 
Who  face  to  face  with  God  did  speak, 

And  did  His  semblance  view. 

And  when  in  mercy,  laws  of  truth, 

God  for  His  people  penn'd, 
He  by  that  faithful  Prophet  pleased 

His  holy  law  to  send. 

Nor  ever  will  our  gracious  Lord 

Another  code  bestow; 
For,  all  complete,  His  perfect  law 

No  altering  change  can  know. 

Our  hidden  thoughts,  our  ev'ry  act, 
From  Him  are  ne'er  conceal'd ; 

Yea!  ere  commenced,  of  all,  the  end 
To   Him   at  once  reveal'd. 

Rewarding  kindness,  as  his  meed, 
The  good  man's   just  return; 

But  to  the  wicked,  punishment 
His  own  misdoings  earn. 

400 


LITURGICAL 

Who  at  His  time — in  length  of  days — 

Will  our  Messiah  send, 
Redeeming  those  who,  anxious,  wait 

Salvation  as  their  end. 

In  wondrous  mercy,  then  the  dead 

Revive  at  God's  behest; 
Then  be  His  praises  ever  sung, 

His  name  be  ever  blest. 

PHILIP  ABRAHAM, 


Yigdal 

'T'HE  living  God  we  praise,  exalt,  adore! 
*•     He  was,  He  is,  He  will  be  evermore. 

No  unity  like  unto  His  can  be, 
Eternal,  inconceivable  is  He. 

No  form  or  shape  has  th'  incorporeal  One, 
Most  holy  beyond   all   comparison. 

He  was,  ere  aught  was  made  in  heaven  or  earth, 
But  His  existence  has  no  date  or,  birth. 

Lord  of  the  Universe  is  He  proclaimed, 
Teaching  His  power  to  all  His  hand  has  framed. 

He  gave  His  gift  of  prophecy  to  those 

In  whom  He  gloried,  whom  He  loved  and  chose. 

No  prophet  ever  yet  has  filled  the  place 
Of  Moses,  who  beheld  God  face  to  face. 

Through  Him   (the  faithful  in  His  house)   the  Lord 
The  law  of  truth  to  Israel  did  accord. 

This  law  God  will  not  alter,  will  not  change 
For  any  other  through  time's  utmost  range, 

401 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

He  knows  and  heeds  the  secret  thoughts  of  man: 
He  saw  the  end  of  all  ere  aught  began. 

With  love  and  grace  doth  He  the  righteous  bless, 
He  metes  out  evil  unto  wickedness. 

He  at  the  last  will  His  anointed  send, 
Those  to  redeem,  who  hope,  and  wait  the  end. 

God  will  the  dead  to  life  again  restore, 
Praised  be  His  glorious  name  for  evermore. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


The  Mezuzah 

"""THE  Cerberus  brealiirs  that  brawl  and  that  cry, 

The  sun  and  the  sky  with  their  Raphael  eye, 
The  skylarks  that  soar  and  the  serpents  that  creep, 
The  lilies  that  love  and  the  willows  that  weep, 
The  grandeurs  of  heaven,  the  glamours  of  earth, 
In  Thy  outdoors,  O  God,  they  are  singing  Thy  worth. 
And  love  and  its  wonder,  the  mother  and  child, 
The  lullabies  sweet,  ,and  the  elegies  wild, 
The  sanctuary,   Home,  the  spirit-realm's  pole, 
The  Eden  unlost,  and  the  shrine  of  the  soul, 
In  Thy  indoors,  O  God,  in  the  hearth  we  revere, 
In  its  tears,  in  its  triumphs,  Thy  splendors  appear. 
But  leaving  to  heaven,  the  sun  and  the  star, 
When  we  grope  on  the  threshold  and  wait  for  the  bar 
To  slip,  and  the  door  of  the  home  to  unfold, 
And  see  not  the  rising  or  sunsetting  gold, 
While  we  grope  on  the  threshold  expectant  and  tense, 
All  silent  with  fearful  and  hopeful  suspense, 
Dumb  lintel  above  us,  blind  doorstep,  before, 
The  heart,  it  is  neither  on  ocean  or  shore, 
What  hint  to  the  soul  of  the  Master,  what  gleam, 
What  clue  to  His  labyrinth's  coil  of  dream? 
It  is  the  Mezuzah,  the  doorpost  uplifts, 

402 


LITURGICAL 

Enwrit  with  Thy  statutes,  Thy  name  and  Thy  gifts; 
Coat  of  Arms  of  the  knighthood  of  God,  like  a  spell, 
The  Mezuzah  holds  sentry  where  Israelites  dwell. 
What  heavenly  romance,  its  blazonings  seal, 
What  lists,  and  what  Galahads  that  harm  not  but  heal. 
What  Unity  linking  the  shadow  and  sun, 
Till  shadow  and  sunshine  one  glory  have  spun; 
And  it  isn't  the  parchment,  the  scroll  or  the  case, 
It's  the  charm  of  the  Shaddai  it  bears  on  its  face, 
And  the  mystical  Shema  inscribed  in  the  scroll, 
We  caress  and  we  kiss.     We  are  kissing  its  soul 
In  crossing  the  threshold ;  O  hearken,  we  pray, 
"Heaven  keep  our  going  and  coming  each  day." 
And  they  tell,  Belial,  the  demon  of  vice, 
In  touching  the  threshold,  must  cease  to  entice. 
For  the  doorstep's  enchanted,  the  Mezuzah  has  charm 
To  keep  from  the  threshold  the  harpies  that  harm. 
The  Mezuzah's  the  soul  of  the  threshold,  behold, 
It  touched  with  enchantment  and  mystical  gold, 
The  portal:  The  threshold  with  witchcraft  is  shod, 
On  the  threshold  and  doorpost,  we  also  see  God! 

ALTER  ABELSON. 

Tephillin 

J7RECT  he  stands,  in  fervent  prayer, 
"       His  body  cloaked  in  silken  Tallis; 
He  seems  a  king,  so  free  from  care, 

His  wrife  a  queen,  his  home  a  palace, 
His  arm  and  head,  his  brawn  and  brain, 

He  dedicates  to  God  in  Heaven; 
For  Him  he  suffers  toil  and  pain, 

Endures  whatever  lot  he's  given. 

Around  his  arm  seven  times  is  wrapped 
A  wide  phylactery,   glistening  thong; 

His  shaggy,  curly  hair  is  capped 
By  still  another,  tough  and  strong. 

403 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

These  bands  he  wears  while  soft  he  prays, 
Devoting  strength  and  mind   to  God; 

His  body  slowly,  gently  sways, — 

He  walks  the  ground  his  fathers  trod. 

This  daily  commune  with  the  Master 

Lifts  him  above  mere  common  clay; 
The  Jewish  heart,  like  alabaster, 

Grows  pure  and  purer  every  day, 
For  he  who  loves  a  Higher  Being 

Must  love  all  creatures  here  below; 
And  he  who  knows  there's  one  All-Seeing, 

Knows  all  he  can  and  e'er  will  know. 

AARON  SCHAFFER. 


Morning  Song 

(The  hymn  beginning  with  these  words  is  among 
the  most  beautiful  and  heart-reaching  preserved  in  our 
liturgy,  though  evidently  intended  for  private  devo- 
tion. Its  author  is  R.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol,  one  of 
Israel's  most  tuneful  and  gifted  poets.) 


A 

'Fore  Thy  greatness  stand  I  in  awe, 
Abash'd  at  Thy  omnipotence. 


T  early  morn,  Thee  will  I  seek 
In  pray'r,  O  Rock  of  my  defence ! 


O,  what  avails  the  power  of  man ! 

Thy  hand  its  limits  doth  control; 
O,  where  the  beauty  of  the  form 

That  clothes  in  clay  the  god-like  soul  ? 

All  these  are  naught ;  whate'er  we  are, 
Whate'er  we  have,  Thy  goodness  gives  ; 

Then  let  our  praise  to  Thee  ascend, 
Whilst  yet  in  us  the  spirit  lives. 

HENRY  S.  JACOBS. 
404 


LITURGICAL 

Morning  Song 

AT  the  dawn,  I  seek  Thee, 
^"^       Refuge  and  rock  sublime, — 
Set  my  prayer  before  Thee  in  the  morning, 

And  my  prayer  at  eventime. 
I  before  Thy  greatness 

Stand,  and  am  afraid : — 
All  my  secret  thoughts  Thine  eye  beholdeth 

Deep  within  my  bosom  laid. 
And  withal  what  is  it 

Heart  and  tongue  can  do? 
What  is  this  my  strength,  and  what  is  even 

This  the  spirit  in  me  too? 
But  verily  man's  singing 

May  seem  good  to  Thee  ; 
So  will  I  thank  Thee,  praising,  while  there  dwelleth 

Yet  the  breath  of  God  in  me. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


Song  of  Israel  to  God 

JV/FY  Love!  hast  Thou  forgotten 
1V1  Thy  rest 

Upon  my  breast? 

And  wherefore  hast  Thou  sold  me 
To  be  enslaved  for  aye? 
Have  I  not  followed  Thee  upon  the  way 
Of  olden  time  within  a  land  not  sown  ? 
Lo!  Seir  and  Mount  Paran — nor  these  alone — 
Sinai  and  Sin — yea,  these 
Be  all  my  witnesses. 
For  Thee  my  love  was  ever, 
And  mine 
Thy  grace  divine; 
And  how  hast  Thou  apportioned 
My  glory  away  from  me  ? 

405 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thrust  unto  Seir,  pursued,  sent  forth  to  flee 
Unto  Kedar,  nor  suffered  to  abide; 
Within  the  Grecian  fiery  furnace  tried; 

Afflicted,  weighed  with  care, 

With  Media's  yoke  to  bear ; — 
And  is  there  any  to  redeem  but  Thee? 
Or  other  captive  with  such  hope  above? 
Thy  strength,  O  Lord;  grant  of  Thy  strength  to  me! 
For  I  give  Thee  my  love. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


Morning  Invocation 

A  T  morn  I  ask  Thee,  lend  Thy  shelt'ring  aid ! 
**•  My  hopes  and  fears  before  Thy  Throne  are  laid. 
Like  one  abashed  I  stand,  prostrate  before  Thy  might, 
My  new-awakened  heart  hides  nothing  from  Thy  sight! 

My  heart,  my  tongue,  too,  fails 

To  utter  what  avails! 
My  skill,  my  strength,  are  naught ! 

But  Thou,  of  grace,  dost  take 

The  prayers  which  mortals  make, 
The  prayers  Thy  love  has  taught. 

So  shall  my  voice  ascend, 

Until  my  life  shall  end  ; 
The  while,  within  my  body's  shrine, 
Dwelleth  my  soul,  Thy  gift  divine! 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 


The  Night  Prayer 

THE  bands  of  sleep  fall  on  mine  eyes, 

My  lids  in  slumber  close. 
O  Lord  our  God!  I  pray  to  Thee 
To  guard  me  in  repose. 

406 


LITURGICAL 

O  grant  that  I  may  lay  me  down 

In  peace  at  fall  of  night, 
And  that  in  peace  I  may  rise  up 

To  greet  the  rising  light. 

Let  not  my  thoughts  or  evil  dreams 

Or  fancies  trouble  me, 
Safe  in  Thy  ever-watchful  care 

My  rest  will  perfect  be. 

Enlighten  Thou  mine  eyes,  O  God ! 

Lest  I  sleep  the  sleep  of  death; 
O  Thou,  who  givest  life  to  all, 

From  Thee  we  draw  each  breath. 

FLORENCE  WEISBERG. 


DLESS'D  art  Thou,  O  Lord  of  all, 
*-*  Who  mak'st  the  bands  of  sleep  to  fall 
Upon  mine  eyes,  and  slumber  press 
Mine  eyelids  down  with  heaviness. 

God  of  my  fathers,  may  it  be 
Thy  will,  this  night  to  suffer  me 
To  lay  me  down  in  peace  and  rise 
In  peace,  when  morning  gilds  the  skies. 

From  thoughts  of  ill  my  slumber  keep 
And,  lest  the  sleep  of  death  I  sleep, 
O  lighten  Thou  mine  eyes,  for  Thou, 
Lord,  dost  with  light  the  eye  endow. 

Bless'd  art  Thou,  O  Lord  most  high, 
Who  in  Thy  glorious  majesty 
And  in  Thy  gracious  love  hast  given 
Light  upon  earth  and  light  in  heaven. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


407 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


us,  our  Father,  to  He  down  in  peace, 
And  raise  us  up,  our  King,  to  life  again; 
Direct  us  on  our  way 
With  Thy  good  counsel's  stay 
And  let  us  'neath  Thy  tent  of  peace  remain. 

O  save  us  for  the  sake  of  Thy  great  name, 

Be  unto  us  a  shield,  Thou  King  of  kings. 

Remove  from  out  our  life 

Sickness  and  care   and   strife  ; 

Shelter  us  in  the  shadow  of  Thy  wings. 

Our  guardian  and  deliverer  Thou  art, 

Merciful  King,  whom  heaven  and  earth  adore! 

Guard  Thou  from  harm  and  sin 

Our  goings  out  and  in, 

With   life   and   peace   henceforth    and    evermore. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


Nishmas 

THE  breath  of  ev'ry  living  thing, 
O  Lord,  shall  bless  Thy  Name; 
The  spirit  of  all  flesh  on  earth 
Thy  glory  shall  proclaim. 

For  Thou  art  God   for  evermore, 

Beside  Thee  we  have  none  ; 
No  king,  nor  saviour  who  redeems, 

Save  Thou !  Almighty  One ! 

Thou  settest  free,  and  bring'st  us  aid 

In  times  of  grief  or  woe ; 
With  mercies  great  and  manifold ; 

No  King  but  Thee  we  know ! 

FLORENCE  WEISBERG. 

408 


LITURGICAL 


Nishmas 

A  LL  living  souls  shall  bless  Thy  name, 
**     O  just  and  gracious  God ! 
All  flesh  Thy  providence  proclaim, 
Thy  holy  works  applaud. 

From  age  to  age  will  we  relate 
The  wonders  Thou  hast  wrought, 

Delighting  to  expatiate 

On  all  which  Thou  hast  taught. 

Young  men  and  maidens  lift  the  voice, 

Thy  wisdom  to  extol, 
And  children  in  Thy  praise  rejoice, 

Father  and  Friend  of  all ! 

But  though  our  hands  should  be  outspread, 

As  are  the  eagle's  wings, 
To  thank  Thee  for  the  daily  bread, 

That  from  Thy  bounty  springs. 

Though  song,  like  sounding  billows,  too, 
Should  from  our  lips  proceed, 

How  large  a  debt  would  yet  be  due 
To  Thee,  from  Jacob's  seed ! 

Thrice  holy,  Lord  of  hosts !  art  Thou, 

Ineffable  and  pure! 
Before  Thy  Majesty  we  bow, 

Great  King,  whom  we  adore. 

PENINA  MOISE. 


409 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Adoration 

""TO  Israel  the  charge  belongs 

Their  grateful  hearts  to  raise; 
To  speak,  in  glad,  triumphant  songs, 
The  Lord  Almighty's  praise. 

His  hand  the  universe  hath  wrought, 

The  starry  heavens  o'erhead  ; 
From  darkness  He  His  people  brought 

The  light  of  truth  to  spread. 

We  bow  the  head,  we  bend  the  knee, 

And  worship  Him  alone ; 
The  King  of  Kings  whose  majesty 

And  sovereign  powTer  we  own. 

He  is  our  God,  the  only  Lord, 

Our  King  is  truth  indeed  ; 
His  sovereign  power  His  laws  record 

As  taught  to  Israel's  seed. 

Grant  Thou  our  hope,  Almighty  King, 

That  promised  day  to  see, 
When  nations  shall  Thy  praises  sing, 

And  bend  the  knee  to  Thee. 

The  reign  of  truth  and  peace  begun, 

Our  sin  and  error  flee ; 
Thou  art  alone,   proclaimed   the  One, 

And  One  Thy  Name  shall  be. 

DAVID  LEVY. 


The  Benediction 

HT HERE'S  a  memory  that  sweetens 

My  father's  last  adieu, 
There's  a  solemn  thought  that  deepens 
When  I  think  of  him  anew. 

410 


LITURGICAL 

'Tis  the  blessing  that  he  uttered 
When  I  took  his  last  farewell, 

The  priestly  threefold  blessing 
Our  people  know  so  well. 

Ah,  bless  thee,  Lord,  and  keep  thee, 

His  countenance  e'er  shine, 
And  gracious  be  He  to  thee, 

And  give  thee  peace  and  thine. 
His  hands  were  spread  in  blessing 

Above  my  bowing  head, 
His  blessing  lives  within  me, 

His  spirit  is   not   fled. 

The  dear  old  Jewish  custom 

Made  many  a  stout  heart; 
I  always  felt  the  better 

When  thus  I  used  to  part. 
And  though  he  is  gone  forever, 

To  sleep  beneath  the  sod, 
I  still  can  hear  him  lifting 

The  self-same  prayer  to  God. 

Ah,  bless  thee,  Lord,  and  keep  thee, 

His  countenance  e'er  shine, 
And  gracious  be  He  to  thee, 

And  give  thee  peace  and  thine. 
His  countenance  be  lifted, 

And  may  He  grant  thee  peace, 
The  goal  of  earthly  living, 

And  Heaven's  own  surcease. 

HARRY  WEISS. 


Grace  After  Meals 


Rock  with  loving  care, 
According  to  His  word, 
Bids  all  His  bounty  share; 
Then  let  us  bless  the  Lord. 

411 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

His  flock  our  Shepherd  feeds 
With  graciousness  divine; 
He  satisfies  our  needs 
With  gifts  of  bread  and  wine. 
Therefore  with  one  accord 
We  will  His  name  adore, 
Proclaiming  evermore 
Holy,  holy  is  the  Lord. 
Our  Rock,  etc. 

The  land  desired  so  long, 
Our  fathers'  heritage, 
Inspires  our  prayer   and   song 
To  God  from  age  to  age. 
His  bounteous  gifts  afford 
Our  sustenance  each  day, 
His  mercy  is  our  stay, 
Yea,  faithful  in  the  Lord. 
Our  Rock,  etc. 

O  be  Thy  mercy  moved, 
Our  Rock,  to  dwell  with  us, 
With  Zion,  Thy  beloved, 
Our  temple  glorious 
May  we  redeemed,  restored, 
Be  led  there  every  one 
By  David's  holy  son, 
The  Anointed  of  the  Lord. 
Our  Rock,  etc. 

Thy  city  built  once  more, 
Thy  temple  walls  uprising, 
There  will  we  adore 
With  joyful  songs  of  praise 
Thee,  merciful,  adored, 
We  bless  and  sanctify 
With  wine-cups  filled  up  high, 
By  blessing  of  the  Lord. 

Our  Rock,  etc.       ANONYMOUS. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 

412 


LITURGICAL 


Man,  the  Image  of  God 


,  my  soul,  in  consciousness  proud, 
That  I  in  God's  image  was  made: 
That  'mid  nature's  irrational  crowd, 
Moral  light  to  me  was  conveyed; 
When   dust,  by   His  pure  breath   refined, 
In  flesh  the  "vital  spark"  enshrined. 

Oh!  how  shall  I  deserve  the  station 
Omnipotence  assigns  to  me; 
Whose  spiritual  elevation 
Is  next  to  angels  in  degree? 
How  Mercy's  likeness  manifest, 
Reflected  in  each  mortal  breast? 

Perilous  pre-eminence!  to  hold 
Perfection's  model  in  the  mind; 
Yet  feel  how  the  inferior  mould 
In  which  its  essence  is  confined, 
May  all   its  majesty  efface, 
And  leave  of  stamp  divine  no  trace. 

Immortal  reason  !  hast  thou  no  beam 
Of  bright  intelligence  to  prove 
Thy  semblance  to  that  Sire  supreme, 
Whose  breath  is  life,  whose  blessing  love? 
Triumph!   though    passions   dim   thy    ray, 
In  thee  God's  image  we  survey. 

Justice,  by  thee  e'er  directed, 

His  strongest  feature  typifies; 

In  truth   (through  reason  best  reflected) 

His  spirit's  light  I  recognize; 

And  in  beneficence  e'er  trace 

His  brightest  trait;  celestial  grace! 

How  glorious  this  filiation 

Between  the  Lord  of  worlds  and  me! 

413 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Oh!  how  shall  I  deserve  the  station, 
Next  to  the  angels  in  degree? 
Like  these,   by  walking  in   His  ways; 
Like  these,  by  singing  e'er  His  praise. 

PENINA  MOISE. 

Grace  for  the  Sabbath 
Israel  this  day  is  joy  ever  bless'd, 

Is  light  and  is  gladness,  a  Sabbath  of  rest. 
Thou  Sabbath  of  rest, 
To  a  people  distress'd, 
To  sorrowful  souls, 
A  strong  soul   hast  given. 
From  souls  tempest-driven 
Thou  takest  their  sighing, 
Thou  takest  their  sighing, 
Thou  Sabbath  of  rest. 

This  Sabbath  of  rest, 
O  God,  thou  hast  bless'd 
And   hallowed   above 
All  the  days  of  creation, 
The,  care-laden  nation 
To  peace  and  hope  wakens, 
To  peace  and  hope  wakens, 
This  Sabbath  of  rest. 

To  slaves  giveth  rest 

The  Sabbath  behest, 

We  are  free  while  we  keep 

T  •  1 

Its  statutes  appointed. 

A  gift  well  anointed, 

We  bring  thee,  O  loved  One, 

We  bring  thee,  O  loved  One, 

The  Sabbath  of  rest. 

O  gladden  our  rest, 
And  our  sanctuary  bless'd 
Restore  thou,  O  Lord, 
And  grant  Thy  salvation 
To  Israel  Thy  nation, 

414 


LITURGICAL 

Extolling   and   praising 

Extolling   and   praising 

The  Sabbath  of  rest. 
To  Israel  this  day  is  joy  ever  bless'd 
Is  light  and  is  gladness,  a  Sabbath  of  rest. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 

Faith 

And  the  Lord,  He  it  is  that  doth  go  before  thee;  He 
will  be  with  thee,  He  will  not  fail  thee,  neither  forsake 
thee;  fear  not,  neither  be  dismayed. — Deuteronomy, 
xxxi,  8. 

My  presence  shall  go  with  thee,  and  I  will  give 
thee  rest. — Exodus,  xxxiii,  14. 

Q  F  all  Thy  gifts  the  best. 
^^    On  us  Thy  needy  people,  sore  distress'd, 
Sore  travel  worn,  and  stained  with  sin  and  woe, 
Of  all  Thy  gifts  the  best. 

Then    shall   we   find,   amid   life's   toilsome  quest, 

The  peace  of  God,  from  which  all  blessings  flow. 
Then  shall  no  evil  fears  our  souls  molest. 

Faith,  faith  in  Thee,  faith  that,  where'er  we  go, 
Thy  presence  goes  with  us,  and  gives  us  rest 

That  is  in  heaven  above,  on  earth  below, 
Of  all  Thy  gifts  the  best! 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


Rude  Are  the  Tabernacles  Now 

D  UDE  are  the  tabernacles  now, 

A^"       Of  Israel's  scattered  band; 

Still  to  the  East  the  faithful  bow, 

And  bless  their  fatherland. 

Oh !  save  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  Lord ! 

Through  every  chance  and  change  adored. 

415 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Oh,  when  we  think  of  Palestine, 

Whose  consecrated  dust 

Once  bore  the  hallowed  ark  and  shrine 

Of  Judah's  only  trust; 

We  mourn  to  mark  the  stranger  there, 

Who  only  mocks  the  Hebrew's  prayer. 

Wake  ye,  who  in  the  deadly  sleep, 
Of  self-delusion  lie! 
Arise!  or  ye  may  live  to  weep 
The  time  now  passing  by. 
Save  us,  O  Everlasting  Lord ! 
Thy  aid  against  remorse  afford! 

Let  us  re-open  mercy's  law, 

And   in  our  bosoms  lock 

Precepts,  that  humble  hearts  shall  draw 

Towards  salvation's  rock; 

Praises  to  Heaven's  Supreme  Lord, 

Who  did  this  sovereign  gift  accord ! 

ANONYMOUS. 

From   the  Hymn  Book  of  Congregation  Beth  Elohim,  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  5616. 


God  Is  Nigh   to    Contrite  Hearts 

T    ORD  of  the  world,  we  seek  Thy  face, 
*-*  With  contrite  hearts  implore  Thy  grace, 
Not  on  our  merits  we  depend, 

To  us  Thy  favor  Thou  wilt  send; 
But  trusting  in  Thy  mercy  great, 

That  Thou  wilt  hear  us  supplicate. 

For  what  are  we,  our  life  or  deed? 

Some  broken  staff;  some  bruised  reed, 
What  are  the  virtues  that  we  boast? 

Of  small  account  and  vain  at  most. 
What  is  our  strength  and  what  our  power 

That  fails  us  in  each  tempting  hour? 

416 


LITURGICAL 

What  can  we  urge  our  cause  to  plead, 

Our  fathers'  God,  to  intercede? 
For  what  to  Thee  are  men  of  power 

Who  fade  at  last  like  grass  or  flower? 
What  are  the  wise,  the  most  august? 

Thou  art  to  them  as  star  to  dust. 

The  greatest  of  our  works  are  vain, 
For  life  is  fraught  with  sin  and  pain. 

And  how  alike  are  beast  and  man, 
Whose  longest  years  are  but  a  span, 

Save  in  that  pure,  immortal  soul 

Which   yearns   for  its  celestial   goal. 

There  at  Thy  throne  in  future  time, — 
Though  most  momentous  and  sublime, — 

The  soul  shall  render  its  report 

At  Mercy's  just  and  last  high  court; 

And  there  the  favor  of  the  Lord 
Shall  be  its  true  and  blest  reward. 

DAVID  LEVY. 


A  Prayer 
Imitation  of  the  Persian 

T    ORD!    who  art  merciful  as  well  as  just, 
*-**  Incline  Thine  ear  to  me,  a  child  of  dust, 

Not  what  I  would,  O  Lord !     I  offer  Thee, 
Alas!  but  what  I  can, 
Father  Almighty,  who  hast  made  me  man 
And  bade   me  look   to   heaven,    for  Thou   art  there, 
Accept  my  sacrifice  and  humble  prayer. 

Four  things  which  are  not  in  Thy  treasury, 
I  lay  before  Thee,  Lord !  with  this  petition ; — 

My  nothingness,  my  wants, 
My  sins  and  my  contrition. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 

417 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


A  Prayer 

I    EAVE  not  a  veil  before  my  eyes, 

*-"'  Tear  from  my  mind  the  shield  of  lies, 

And  from  my  soul  the  web  of  sophistries; 

Yea,  though  I  stricken,  shirk  and  flee, 

God,  give  me  eyes  to  see. 

Send  me  no  song  so  honey-sweet 
That  I  forget  the  harsher  beat 
Of  life,  the  pulsing  discords  of  the  street, 

Smite  me  with  sorrow  as  a  spear — 

But  give  me  ears  to  hear. 

Grant  me  the  will  to  pay  for  light, 

For  vision  overtopping  sight, 

And   dreams  that  are  not  of   the  passing  night; 

Yield,  at  what  price  Thou  shalt  demand, 

A  heart  to  understand. 

V.  H.  FRIEDLANDER. 


Sacred  Lyric 

TW'HEN  Sorrow,  blinded  with  her  tears, 

"         Upon  my  life  in  darkness  stole 
And  quenched  my  hopes  and  roused  my  fears, 
And  smote  and  pierced  my  weary  soul, 
O,  then,  I  turned  my  heart  to  Thee, 
O  Lord  of  Hosts,  to  comfort  me. 

When,  like  rough  winds  in  stormy  skies, 
Fears  lashed  my  heart  and  seared  my  brain, 
Until  before  my  aching  eyes 
Life's  joys  were  pitilessly  slain, 
Alone,  I  turned,  O  God,  to  Thee, 
To  solace  and  to  comfort  me. 

418 


LITURGICAL 

For  cares  may  blind  and  gloom  may  shroud, 

And  desolation  chill  the  heart, 

But  Thou  canst  rend  the  blackest  cloud, 

And  heal  life's  anguish  and  its  smart; 

As  humbly  I  may  turn  to  Thee. 

0  Lord  of  Hosts!  to  comfort  me. 

ISIDORE  G.  ASCHER. 
The  Voice  of  God 

[   HEARD  His  voice  in  song  of  wren 
*     Beneath  the  hedge  at  daybreak,  when 
The  dew  like  diamonds  gleams. 

1  heard  His  voice  in  bubbling  rills 
That  tumbled  down  the  verdant  hills, 

To  swell   the  sea-ward  streams. 
I  heard  His  voice  in  whisp'ring  breeze, 
That  gleaned  the  secret  of  the  trees 

And  conned  the  flowers'  dreams. 
I  heard  His  voice  when  squirrels  woke 
And  dropped  an  acorn  from  the  oak 

And  whisked  their  bushy  tails. 
I  heard  His  voice  when  Curly  Locks 
Drove  forth  to  bathe  her  feathered  flocks, 

And  Meg  cleaned  out  the  pails. 
I  heard  His  voice  when  belfry  tower 
In  lazy  notes  struck  noonday  hour 

And  cattle  shirked  the  sun. 
I  heard  His  voice  when  nine  was  tolled 
And  all  the  sheep  had  gone  to  fold, 

And  bleated  day  was  done. 
I  heard  His  voice  as  midnight  crept 
With  murky  steps  o'er  men  that  slept — 

Some  pillowed  'neath  the  sod. 
Yes,  even  in  that  silent  hour 
I  heard  in  full  majestic  power 

The  mighty  voice  of  God. 

M.  M. 

419 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Prayer 

TJNTO  thy  Rock,  O  my  soul,  uplift  thy  gaze, 
^    His  loving-kindness  day  and  night  implore. 
Remember  thy  Creator  in  the  days 
Of  youth,  in  song  His  glorious  name  adore. 
He  is  thy  portion  through  earth's  troubled  maze, 
Thy  shelter,  when  life's  pilgrimage  is  o'er. 
Thou  knowest  that  there  waits  for  thee  always 
A  peaceful  resting-place  His  throne  before. 
Therefore  the  Lord  my  God  I  bless  and  praise, 
Even  as  all  creatures  bless  Him  evermore. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 

Hope  for  the  Salvation  of  the  Lord 

LJOPE  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord, 
•*•"*•      In  Him  I  trust,  when  fears  my  being  thrill; 
Come  life,  come  death,  according  to  his  word, 
He  is  my  portion  still. 

Him  will  I  serve,  His  am  I  as  of  old ; 
I  ask  not  to  be  free. 

Sweet  is  ev'n  sorrow  coming  in   His  name, 
Nor  will  I  seek  its  purpose  to  explore ; 

His  praise  will  I  continually  proclaim, 
And  bless  Him  evermore. 

ABRAHAM  IBN  EZRA. 

God  Everywhere 

HERESOE'ER  I  turn  mine  eyes 

Around  on  Earth  or  toward  the  skies, 
I  see  thee  in  the  starry  field, 
I  see  thee  in  the  harvest's  yield, 
In  every  breath,  in  every  sound, 
An  echo  of  Thy  name  is  found. 

420 


LITURGICAL 

The  blade  of  grass,  the  simple  flower, 
Bear  witness  to  Thy  matchless  pow'r. 
My  every  thought,  Eternal  God  of  Heaven, 
Ascends  to  thee,  to  whom  all  praise  be  given. 

ABRAHAM  IBN  EZRA. 
(Translated  by  D.  E.  de  L.) 


The  Living  God 

\  THIRST  for  God,  to  Him  my  soul  aspires, 
•*•     The  living  God  it  is  my  heart's  desires. 

The  living  God  created  me 
To  life.     Yea,  as  I  live,  spake  He, 
No  living  man  my  face  shall  see, 
Shall  see  my  face  and  live. 

He  fashioned  all  with  counsel  wise 
And  purpose  wonderful  that  lies 
For  ever  hidden  from  our  eyes, 
The  eyes  of  all  who  live. 

Supreme  o'er  all  His  glory  reigns, 
Extolled  on  earth  in  holy  strains, 
Blessed  is  He  whose  hand  maintains 
The  soul  of  all  who  live. 

He  separated  Israel's  seed 
To  teach  them  statutes,  which  indeed 
If  that  a  man  do  hear  and  heed, 
His  soul  by  them  shall  live. 

Can  pure  and  just  themselves  declare 
They  who  of  dust  created  were? 
Lo,  in  Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  we  dare 
Call  no  man  just  who  lives. 

421 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Like  serpent's  poison  venomous, 
The  sinful  passion  dwells  in  us, 
Can  then  from  evil  cankerous 
Be  any  free  that  live? 

But  they  the  cords  of  sin  who  break 
May  yet  the  evil  path  forsake, 
Ere  in  that  house  their  rest  they  take, 
That  waits  for  all  who  live. 

Call  us  in  mercy  unto  Thee 
Again  Thy  witnesses  to  be,  # 
O  Thou,  who  openest  graciously 
Thy  hand  to  all  that  live. 

ABRAHAM  IBN  EZRA. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


A  Song  of  Life 

J7 OR  God,  the  living  Lord,  my  soul's  athirst 
My  heart  and  soul  in  joyous  praise  outburst. 

A  living  God — He  gives 
To  me  creation's  call, 
But  warneth  mortals  all ; 
No  man  sees  God  and  lives. 

Behold  His  wisdom's  might, 
Creating  all  in  light, 
All  to  Him  is  clear  and  bright 
Howso  hid  from  mortal  sight. 

Regal  in   His   glory 

In  all  mouths  its  story, 
Blessed!  in  whose  hand 
Our  souls  sustained  stand. 

422 


LITURGICAL 

Abraham's  sons  He  set  apart, 

His  laws  to  them  He  did  impart; 

Wise  laws  which  to  the  World  they  give, 

For  mortals  to  obey  and  live. 

Man  cannot  do  the  right: 

Dust  is  he  to  Godlike  sight: 
For  who  in  Heaven's  eye 
His  way  can  justify? 

Base  the  longing  of  our  heart, 

Envenom'd   as  the  scorpion's  dart. 
How  can  our  flesh  in  life  abide 
When  sin  has  seared  and  mortified? 

Needs  must  we  sinners  then 

Repeat  our  evil  courses.  .  .  .  When? 
Before  we  reach  the  end,  the  goal, 
Of  all  that  boasts  a  living  soul. 

Enthralled  by  Thy  love, 

We  hail  Thee,  God  above! 
That  from  Thine  open  hand 
Feedest  our  living  band. 

Sleeping  children,  Lord!  awake: 
Pity  for  their  fathers'  sake: 
The  promised  days  to  hasten  deign 
When  Jesse's  son  once  more  will  reign. 

Regard  the  mother's  truth  when  tested. 

How  shrill  the  handmaid  *  hath  protested : 
"The  dead  religion — it  is  thine, 
The  living  one  is  mine,  is  mine." 

Awestruck  I  bow  the  head, 

In  prayer  my  hands  I  spread, 

God's  due  from  man  my  lips  confess, 

Each  soul  of  life  his  God  must  bless. 

ABRAHAM  IBN  EZRA. 
(Translated  by  E.  N.  A.) 

*  Hagar  to  Sarah,  i.  e.,  Mahomet  to  Israel. 
423 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


God,  Whom  Shall  I  Compare  to  Thee? 

OD,  whom  shall  I  compare  to  Thee, 

When  Thou  to  none  canst  likened  be? 
Under  what  image  shall  I  dare 
To  picture  Thee,  when  everywhere 
All  Nature's  forms  Thine  impress  bear? 

Greater,  O  Lord,  Thy  glories  are 

Than  all  the  heavenly  chariots  far. 

Whose  mind  can  grasp  Thy  world's  design? 

Whose  word  can  fitly  Thee  define  ? 

Whose  tongue  set  forth  Thy  powers  divine? 

Can  heart  approach,  can  eye  behold 
Thee  in  Thy  righteousness  untold  ? 
Whom  did'st  Thou  to  Thy  counsel  call, 
When  there  was  none  to  speak  withal 
Since  Thou  was  first  and  Lord  of  all? 

Thy  world  eternal  witness  bears 
That  none  its  Maker's  glory  shares. 
Thy  wisdom  is  made  manifest 
In  all  things  formed  by  Thy  behest, 
All  with  Thy  seal's  clear  mark  impress'd. 

Before  the  pillars  of  the  sky 

Were  raised,  before  the  mountains  high 

Were  wrought,  ere  hills  and  dales  were  known, 

Thou  in  Thy  majesty  alone 

Did'st  sit,  O  God,  upon  Thy  throne! 

Hearts,  seeking  Thee,  from  search  refrain, 
And  weary  tongues  their  praise  restrain. 
Thyself  unbound  by  time  and  place, 
Thou  dost  pervade,   support,  embrace 
The  world  and  all  created  space. 

424 


LITURGICAL 

The  sages'  mind  bewildered  grow, 
The  lightning  speed  of  thought  is  slow. 
"Awful  in  praises"  art  Thy  name; 
Thou  fillest,  strong  in  strength  proclaimed, 
This  universe  Thy  hand  has  framed. 

Deep,  deep  beyond  all  fathoming, 
Far,  far  beyond  all  measuring 
We  can  but  seek  Thy  deeds  alone ; 
When  bow  Thy  saints  before  Thy  throne, 
Then  is  Thy  faithfulness  made  known. 

Thy  righteousness  we  can  discern, 
Thy  holy  law  proclaim  and  learn. 
Is  not  Thy  presence  near  alway 
To  them  who  penitently  pray, 
But  far  from  those  who  sinning  stray  ? 

Pure  souls  behold  Thee,  and  no  need 
Have  they  of  light ;  they  hear  and  heed 
Thee  with  the  mind's  keen  ear,  although 
The  ear  of  flesh  be  dull  and  slow. 
Their  voices  answer  to  and  fro. 

Thy  holiness  for  ever  they  proclaim ; 

The  Lord  of  Hosts!  thrice  holy  is  His  name! 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


O  Lord,  I  Call  on   Thee 

LORD,  I  call  on  Thee  when  sore  dismayed, 
Thou  wilt  hear  my  voice  and  lend  me  aid, 

Nor  shall  I  be  of  myriads  afraid, 

For  Thou  wilt  ever  be 

The  portion  of  my  lot — Thou  savest  me. 

425 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  troubled  times  Thy  mercy's  plenteous  store 

Is  full  to  overflowing  evermore, 

And  when  in  straitness  I  my  plaint  outpour 

With  words  entreating  Thee, 

Then  with  enlargement  Thou  dost  answer  me. 

Make  known  Thy  love  to  those  who  trust  and  pray, 

To  those  who  hold  Thy  name  their  help  and  stay, 

Waiting  for  Thy  salvation  day  by  day, 

Yea,  who,  O  Lord,  but  Thee 

Shall  make  me  glad,  who  else  deliver  me? 

Do  Thou  from  heavenly  heights  my  pain  behold, 

And  lead  me  back  unto  Thy  sheltering  fold, 

That  I  may  answer  scorners  as  of  old ; 

Yea,  though  my  dwelling  be  • 

In  darkest  night,  God  is  a  light  to  me. 

ABRAHAM  IBN  EZRA. 


Lord,  Thou  Great  Jehovah 

(CREATOR,  Author  of  all  things! 
^       Thou  who  didst  give  to  me 
My  being,  hear  me  while  I  pray: 

From  evil  set  me  free- — 
Give,  O  give  me  peace  within, 
Tho'  unworthy  I  have  been; 
Help  me  conquer  death  and  sin — 

Lord,  Thou  great  Jehovah. 

Thy  name  is  love,  I  know  that  Thou 

Wilt  leave  none  in  despair 
Who  seek  Thy  face ;  I  know  that  Thou 

Wilt  hear  the  sinner's  prayer — 
Let  me  clasp  Thy  hand  in  mine, 
Let  me  know  Thy  peace  divine, 
Let  my  will  be  lost  in  Thine — 

Lord,  Thou  great  Jehovah. 

426 


LITURGICAL 

Help  me  to  bear  the  burden,  Lord, 

With  patience  run  the  race; 
And  when  the  storms  of  life  are  past 

Grant  I  may  see  Thy  face — 
When  earth's  night  has  passed  away, 
In  bright  realms  of  endless  day 
May  I  dwell  writh  Thee  for  aye — 

Lord,  Thou  great  Jehovah. 

ALBERT  FRANK  HOFFMANN. 


Lord,  Do  Thou  Guide  Me 

When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be 
with  thee ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  over- 
flow thee;  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou 
shall  not  be  burned;  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle 
upon  thee. — Isaiah  xliii.  2. 

f    ORD,  do  Thou  guide  me  on  my  pilgrim  way, 

Then  shall  I  be  at  peace,  whate'er  betide  me ; 
Then  morn  is  dark,  the  clouds  hang  low  and  gray, 
Lord,  do  'Thou  guide  me. 


Let  not  the  mists  of  sin  from  Thee  divide  me, 
But  pierce  their  gloom  with  mercy's  golden  ray, 
Then  shall  I  know  that  Thou  in  love  hast  tried  me. 
Lord,  do  Thou  guide  me. 

o 

O'er  rugged  paths  be  Thou  my  staff  and  stay, 
Beneath  Thy  wings  from  storm  and  tempest  hide  me, 
Through  life  to  death,  through  death  to  heavenly  day. 
Lord,  do  Thou  guide  me. 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


427 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Song  of  the  Dew 

Pizmon  from  the  Prayer  for  Dew  of  the  Musaph 
Service  for  the  First  Day  of  the  Passover. — Sephardic 
Liturgy. 

RAIN,  depart  with  blessings, 

With  blessings  come,  O   dew; 
For  Mighty  to  Deliver, 
Is  He  that  sends  the  dew. 

With  psalm  and  song  I'll  praise  Him, 

In  rhythms  like  the  dew ; 
My  Rock,  my  Strong  Deliverer, 

He  is,  that  sends  the  dew. 

His  Name  with  glory  covers 

His  folk,  as  earth  the  dew; 
A  Prince  to  their  deliv'rance 

He  sends,  that  sends  the  dew. 

Hasten,  O  God,  Thy  promise — 

"I  will  be  Israel's  dew" — 
And  Mighty  to  Deliver, 

Let  fall  this  day  Thy  dew! 

(Translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen.) 


And  the  Heavens  Shall  Yield  Their  Dew 

OTHOU,  that  art  the  Trust,  the  Strength, 
The  Shield  of  all  that  live, 
Who  givest  food  to  man  and  beast, 

Our  year's  perfection  give — 
The  crowning  cloud  of  summer  rain 

Or,  from  night's  cloudless  blue, 
The  gentle  drops  whereof  Thou  saidst, 
"And  the  heavens  shall  yield  their  dew!" 

428 


LITURGICAL 

On  waving  grain,  on  mead  and  wood, 

Let  drops  of  blessing  fall, 
That  all  Thy  children  may  have  bread, 

And  healing  be  for  all  ; 
But  them  that  study  in  Thy  Law, 

And  to  Thy  Charge  are  true, 
Exalt  in  splendor  like  the  stars, 
Whilst  the  heavens  shall  yield  their  dew! 

Make  green  the  pastures  of  the  wild, 

Girdle  the  hills  with  mirth; 
With  bright-hued  zone  of  budding  flowers 

Cincture  the  gladsome  earth. 
All  they  together  shall  rejoice, 

And  sing  His  praise  anew, 
Whose  loving  bounty  shall  not  fail ; 
Whose  heavens  shall  yield  their  dew! 

To  clothe  with  leaf  and  deck  with  bud 

The  naked,  tender  vine, 
That  weary  souls  may  be  refreshed 

With  heartening  draughts  of  wine; 
And  hungry  souls  be  filled  with  good, 

And  toil  its  strength  renew 
Through  luscious  feast  of  ripened  fruit — 
Bid  Thy  heavens  to  yield  their  dew! 

The  trees  of  God  are  full  of  sap, 

In  valley  and  on  hill ; 
The  threshing  floors  piled  high  with  corn; 

Wine,  oil,  the  vats  o'erfill ; 
Where  ruin  was,  a  ransomed  folk 

Upbuilds  its  homes  anew, 
And  all  the  land  resounds  with  song — 
"And  the  heavens  shall  yield  their  dew!" 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Solomon  Solis -Cohen.) 


429 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Burning  of  the  Law 

ASK,  is  it  well,  O  thou  consumed  of  fire, 
***•       With  those  that  mourn  for  thee, 
That  yearn  to  tread  thy  courts,  that  sore  desire 
Thy  sanctuary; 

That,  panting  for  thy  land's  sweet  dust,  are  grieved, 

And  sorrow  in  their  souls, 
And  by  the  flames  of  wasting  fire  bereaved, 

Mourn  for  thy  scrolls ; 

That  grope  in  shadow  of  unbroken  night, 

Waiting  the  day  to  see 
Which  o'er  them  yet  shall  cast  a  radiance  bright, 

And  over  thee? 

Ask  of  the  welfare  of  the  man  of  woe, 

With  breaking  heart,  in  vain 
Lamenting  ever  for  thine  overthrow, 

And  for  thy  pain; 

Of  him  that  crieth  as  the  jackals  cry, 

As  owls  their  moaning  make, 
Proclaiming  bitter  wailing  far  and  nigh ; 

Yea,  for  Thy  sake. 

And  thou  revealed  amid  a  heavenly  fire, 

By  earthly  fire  consumed, 
Say  how  the  foe  unscorched  escaped  the  pyre 

Thy  flames  illumed ! 

How  long  shalt  thou  that  art  at  ease  abide 

In  peace,  unknown  to  woe, 
While  o'er  my  flowers,  humbled  from  their  pride, 

Thy  nettles  grow? 

Thou  sittest  high  exalted,  lofty  foe ! 

To  judge  the  sons  of  God ; 
And  with  thy  judgments  stern  dost  bring  them  low 

Beneath  thy  rod. 

430 


LITURGICAL 

Yea,  more,  to  burn  the  Law  thou  durst  decree — 

God's  word  to  banish  hence; 
Then  blest  be  he  who  shall  award  to  thee 

Thy  recompense! 

Was  it  for  this,  thou  Law,  my  Rock  of  old 

Gave  thee  with  flames  begirt, 
That  in  thine  after-days  should  fire  seize  hold 

Upon  thy  skirt? 

O  Sinai!  was  it  then  for  this  God  chose 

Thy  mount  of  modest  height, 
Rejecting  statelier,  while  on  thee  arose 

His  glorious  light? 

Wast  thou  an  omen  that  from  noble  state 

The  Law  should  lowly  be? 
And  lo !  a  parable  will  I  relate 

Befitting  thee. 

'Tis  of  a  king  I  tell,  who  sat  before 

The  banquet  of  his  son 
And  wept:  for  'mid  the  mirth  he  death  foresaw; 

So  thou  hast  done. 

Cast  off  thy  robe ;  in  sackcloth  folds  of  night, 

0  Sinai!  cover  thee; 

Don  widow's  garb,  discard  thy  raiment  bright 
Of  royalty. 

Lo,  I  will  weep  for  thee  until  my  tears 

Swell  as  a  stream  and  flow 
Unto  the  graves  where  Thy  two  princely  seers 

Sleep  calm  below: 

Moses  and  Aaron  in  the  Mountain  Hor; 

1  will  of  them  inquire: 

Is  there  another  to  replace  this  Law 
Devoured  of  fire? 

431 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

0  thou  third  month  most  sacred !  woe  is  me 
For  treason  of  the  fourth, 

Which  dimmed  the  sacred  light  that  shone  from  thee 
And  kindled  wrath; 

And  break  the  tablets,  yea,  and  still  did  rage: 

And  lo !  the  Law  is  burnt ! 
Ye  sinful!  is  not  this  the  twofold  wage 

Which  ye  have  earnt  ? 

Dismal  hath  seized  upon  my  soul ;  how,  then, 

Can  food  be  sweet  to  me, 
When,  O  thou  Law,  I  have  beheld  base  men 

Destroying  thee? 

They  cast  thee  out  as  one  despised,  and  burn 

The  wealth  of  God  Most  High  ; 
They  whom  from  thine  assembly  thou  wouldst  spurn 

From  drawing  nigh. 

1  cannot  pass  along  the  highway  more, 

Nor  seek  thy  ways  forlorn ; 
How  do  thy  paths  their  loneliness  deplore! 
Lo!  how  they  mourn! 

The  mingled  cup  shall  taste  as  honey  sweet 

Where  tears  o'erbrim  the  wine ; 
Yea,  and  thy  chains  upon  my  shackled  feet 

Are  joy  divine. 

Sweet  would  it  be  unto  mine  eyes  alway 

A  rain  of  tears  to  pour, 
To  sob  and  drench  thy  sacred  robes,  till  they 

Could  hold  no  more. 

But  lo!  my  tears  are  dried,  when,  fast  outpoured, 

They  down  my  cheeks  are  shed; 
Scorched  by  the  fire  within :  because  thy  Lord 

Hath  turned  and  fled. 

432 


LITURGICAL 


Taking  His  holy  treasure,  He  hath  made 

His  journey  far  away; 
And  with  Him  hath  not  thy  protecting  shade 

Vanished  for  aye? 

And  I  am  desolate  and  sore  bereft, 

Lo!  a  forsaken  one: 
Like  a  sole  beacon  on  a  mountain  left, 

A  tower  alone. 

I  hear  the  voice  of  singers  now  no  more, 

Silence  their  song  hath  bound ; 
The  strings  are  broken  which  on  harps  of  yore 

Breathed  forth  sweet  sound. 

In  sackcloth  I  will  clothe  and  sable  band, 

For  well-beloved  by  me 
Were  they  whose  lives  were  many  as  the  sand — 

The  slain  of  thee. 

I  am  astonished  that  the  day's  fair  light 

Yet  shineth  brilliantly 
On  all  things:— it  is  ever  dark  as  night 

To  me  and  thee. 

Send  with  a  bitter  cry  to  God  above 

Thine  anguish,  nor  withhold  : 
Ah !  that  He  would  remember  yet  His  love, 

His  troth  of  old ! 

Gird  on  the  sackcloth  of  thy  misery 

For  that  devouring  fire, 
Which  burst  forth  ravenous  on  thine  and  thee 

With  wasting  dire. 

E'en  as  thy  Rock  hath  sore  afflicted  thee, 

He  will  assuage  thy  woe, 
Will  turn  again  the  tribes'  captivity! 

And  raise  the  low. 

433 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yet  shalt  thou  wear  thy  scarlet  raiment  choice, 

And  sound  the  timbrels  high, 
And  yet  amid  the  dancers  shalt  rejoice 

With  gladdened  cry. 

My  heart  shall  be  uplifted  on  the  day 

The  Rock  shall  be  thy  light, 
When  He  shall  make  thy  gloom  to  pass  away, 

Thy  darkness  bright. 

MEIR  OF  ROTHENBERG. 

(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 

The  Royal  Crown 

V/IY  God,  I  know  that  those  who  plead 

To  thee  for  grace  and  mercy  need 
All  their  good  works  should  go  before 
And  wait  for  them  at  heaven's  high  door. 
But  no  good  deed  have  I  to  bring, 
No  righteousness  for  offering, 
No  service  for  my  Lord  and  King. 

Yet  hide  not  thou  thy  face  from  me, 
Nor  cast  me  out  afar  from  thee; 
But  when  thou  bidd'st  my  life  to  cease, 
O  mayst  thou  lead  me  forth  in  peace 
Unto  the  world  to  come,  to  dwell 
Among  the  pious  ones,  who  tell 
Thy  glories  inexhaustible. 

There  let  my  portion  be  with  those 

Who  to  Eternal  life  arose; 

There  purify  my  heart  aright, 

In  thy  light  to  behold  the  light. 

Raise  me  from  deepest  depths  to  share 

Heaven's  endless  joys  of  praise  and  prayer, 

That  I  may  evermore  declare. 

Though  thou  wast  angered,  Lord,  I  will  give  thanks 

to  thee, 

For  past  is  now  thy  wrath,  and  thou  dost  comfort  me. 

ISRAEL  ABRAHAMS. 

434 


LITURGICAL 

New  Year  Hymn 

ONE  another  year — 

Gone  beyond  recall ; 
Gone  its  smile  and  tear, 

Gone   its  joy  and   thrall. 
Vain  is  now  lament, 

Naught  canst  thou  efface; 
Though  thou  now  repent 
Naught  canst  thou  erase. 

Dawns  another  year — 

Open  it  aright; 
Thou  shalt  have  no  fear 

In  its  fading  light. 
Live  that  not  a  stain, 

Live  that  not  a  deed 
May  awaken  pain, 

May  erasure  need. 

JOSEPH  KRAUSKOPF. 

O 

The  Royal  Crown 

LJOW  shall  I  stand  before  Thee,  Lord,  and   I  am 

**      bowed  with  shame? 

For  e'en  as  I  am  poor  and  humble,  exalted   is  Thy 

name! 
E'en  as  my  mortal  might  is  weak  and  limited,  Thy 

power  is  eternal,  infinite, 
Sorely  wanting  as  I  am,  Almighty!     Thou  art  perfect 

and  complete! 
For  Thou  art  One,   the  only  living  God,  who  dost 

exist  for  aye. 
Thou  art  wise  and  Thy  might  and  majesty  endure 

alway, 

435 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  I  am  wrought  of  dust  and  for  the  earth  destined, 
Full  of  error,  helpless  as  a  stone  upon  the  way  and 

blind— 
A  flitting  shadow,  a  wind  that  passeth  and  returneth 

not — 
Wrathful  as  a  serpent,  of  stony  heart  and  harboring 

all  evil  thought! 
Yea,  of  proud  and  boastful  mien,  of  unclean  lips,  a 

mortal  vain 
Who   followeth   his  heart's   desire,   and   counsel   doth 

despise,  and  thought  disdain. 
For  what  I  am  and  what  is  even  this  my  life  and 

power  ? 
What  fruit  may  bear  my  righteousness  through  life's 

e'er-changeful  hour? 

I  know  not  whence  I  come,  nor  whither  I  am  bound ! 
Before  Thy  might  in  awe  I  stand,  bowed  low  unto 

the  ground!  SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 

(Translated  by  Rebecca  A.  Altman.) 

Servant  of  God 
(Hymn  for  the  Day  of  Atonement) 

WOULD  that  I  might  be 

A  servant  unto  Thee, 
Thou  God  of  all  adored ! 
Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 
Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 
And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 
Spirit  and  flesh  are  Thine, 
O  Heavenly  Shepherd  mine  ; 
My  hopes,  my  thoughts,  my  fears,  Thou  seest  all, 
Thou  measurest  my  path,  my  steps  dost  know 
When  Thou  upholdest,  who  can  make  me  fall  ? 
When  Thou  restrainest,  who  can  bid  me  go? 
O  would  that  I  might  be 
A  servant  unto  Thee, 
Thou  God  by  all  adored. 
Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 

436 


LITURGICAL 

Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 

And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 

Fain  would  my  heart  come  nigh 

To  Thee,  O  God  on  high, 

But  evil  thoughts  have  led  me  far  astray 

From  the  pure  path  of  righteous  government. 

Guide  Thou  me  back  into  Thy  holy  way, 

And  count  me  as  one  impenitent. 

O  would  that  I  might  be 

A  servant  unto  Thee, 

Thou  God,  by  all  adored ! 

Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 

Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 

And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 

If  in  my  youth  I  still 

Fail  to  perform  Thy  will, 

What  can  I  hope  when  age  shall  chill  my  breast? 

Heal  me,  O  Lord ;  with  Thee  is  healing  found. 

Cast  me  not  off,  by  weight  of  years  oppress'd, 

Forsake  me  not  when  age  my  strength  has  bound. 

0  would  that  I  might  be 
A  servant  unto  Thee, 
Thou  God,  by  all  adored! 
Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 
Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 

And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 

Contrite  and  full  of  dread, 

1  mourn  each  moment  fled, 
'Mid  idle  follies  roaming  desolate, 

I  sink  beneath  transgressions  manifold 

That  from  Thy  presence  keep  me  separate, 

Nor  can  sin-darkened  eyes  Thy  light  behold. 

O  would  that  I  might  be 

A  servant  unto  Thee, 

Thou  God  by  all  adored ! 

Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 

Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 

And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 

437 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

So  lead  me  that  I  may 

Thy  sovereign  will  obey; 

Make  pure  my  heart  to  seek  Thy  truth  divine, 

When  burns  my  wound,  be  Thou  with  healing 

near! 

Answer  me,  Lord !  for  sore  distress  is  mine, 
And  say  unto  Thy  servant,  I  am  here. 
O  would  that  I  might  be 
A  servant  unto  Thee, 
Thou  God,  by  all  adored ! 
Then,  though  by  friends  outcast, 
Thy  hand  would  hold  me  fast, 
And  draw  me  near  to  Thee,  my  King  and  Lord. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 

Yea,  More  Than   They 

EA,  more  than  they,  who  through  the  gloomy  night, 
Through  sleepless  hours  that  loiter  on  their  way, 
Watch  for  the  dawn  above  the  eastern  height, 
Yea,  more  than  they. 

Watching  and  waiting  for  return  of  day 

My  soul  waits  for  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  might, 
With  whom  forgiveness  is,  my  hope  and  stay. 

And  when  His  mercy  thrills  my  soul  contrite, 
My  soul  rejoices  in  His  pardoning  ray, 

More  than  they  joy  to  see  the  morning  light. 
Yea,  more  than  they.  ALIC£  LuCAS 


Adonai  Melech 
A  Yom  Kippur  Hymn  (Sephardic  Liturgy) 

ERE  space  exists,  or  earth  or  sky, 
The  Lord  is  King! 
Ere  sun  or  star  shone  forth  on  high, 
The  Lord  was  King ! 

438 


LITURGICAL 

When  earth  shall  be  a  robe  outworn, 
And  sky  shall  fade  like  mists  of  morn, 

Still  shall  the  Lord  fore'er  be  King! 
The  Lord  is  King!     The  Lord  was  King!     Forever 
shall  the  Lord  be  King ! 

When  earth  He  flings  mid  star-filled  space, 

.The  Lord  is  King! 
When  living  creatures  there  found  place, 

The  Lord  was  King! 

When  homeward  from  earth's  corners  four, 
He  calls  the  scattered  folk  once  more, 

Then  shall  the  Lord  fore'er  be  King! 
The  Lord  is  King!     The  Lord  was  King!     Forever 
shall  the  Lord  be  King! 

(Translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen.) 


Thee  I  Will  Seek 

PHEE  I  will  seek,  to  Thee  unveil  my  breast, 

O  great  in  Judah  and  in  Israel  blest, 
For  He  who  searches  mortals  understands 
How  truly  my  transgressions  are  confest. 

Ah,  verily,  not  one  of  us  is  just! 

Thy  myriad  mercies  save  us  from  the  dust; 

Lo,  unto  Thee  we  stretch  our  guilty  hands, 
And  in  Thy  holy  Name  we  put  our  trust. 

We  put  our  trust,  for  'tis  our  soul's  delight 
To  seek  in  humbleness  Thy  shield  of  might; 

Thy  strength  is  all  the  refuge  of  the  poor, 
And  lowTly  souls  Thou  placest  on  the  height. 

The  haughtiness  of  upstarts  I  have  borne, 
Unsated  and  unceasing  is  their  scorn; 

Lo !  we  are  wasted  of  the  tyrant  boor 
Who  left  the  helpless  utterly  forlorn. 

439 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Before  Thy  mercy-seat  the  beggars  pray, 
Their  sins  confest,  abandoned  in  dismay; 
Lo,  pardon  them  and  be  no  longer  vext, 
For  is  it  not  the  dread  Atonement  Day? 

O  Thou  in  majesty  and  glory  girt, 
Be  pitiful  and  trample  sin  to  dirt; 

Lo !  sweet  as  honey  tastes  the  holy  text,  . 
"For  He  is  one  who  healeth  those  He  hurt." 

Yea!    He  will  heal  and  all  shall  bless  His  name, 
He  will  remove  the  burden  of  our  blame ; 
Before  His  face  His  people  shall  avow 
The  sins  presumption  added  to  their  shame. 

Both  these,  and  those  from  ignorance  that  mount, 
O  cease,  according  to  their  plea,  to  count  ; 

Lo,  life  eternal  set  upon  their  brow, 
For,  Lord,  in  Thee  is  life's  eternal  fount. 

To  all  who  worship  Thee  grant  life  and  grace, 
Their  heart's  perversity  from  them  erase; 

Let  sprinkled  water  purify  each  soul, 
And  let  the  dew  revive  each  stony  place. 

With  dew,  O  lave  Thy  lambs  from  stain  and  flake, 
It  is  the  hour,  forgiveness  is  awake. 

Lo!  cleanse  them  as  'tis  written  in  the  Scroll, 
"For  on  this  day  he  shall  Atonement  make." 

And  this  Atonement  shall  not  be  less  good, 
Than  when  the  altar  in  the  Temple  stood. 

Lo!  known  to  Him  each  sinew  of  my  breast, 
My  reins  are  fashioned  by  His  fatherhood. 

My  inward  parts  I'll  fit  for  serving  Thee, 
So  due  acceptance  greet  Thy  servant's  plea, 
For  whoso  honors  Thee  Thou  honorest, 
Thou  sole-exalted  in  sublimity. 

440 


LITURGICAL 

On  Thee  alone  must  rest  the  hope  of  man, 
Iniquities  Thou  wilt  not  strictly  scan; 

Lo!  God  the  righteous  loves  not  punishmeot, 
His  ways  transcend  the  little  human  plan. 

'Tis  of  the  deed  itself  I  am  afraid, 
Lest  by  my  sin  I  shall  be  duly  paid ; 

Yet  Him  I  trust,  and  wait  in  dumb  assent; 
Repentance  ever  brought  consoling  aid. 

From  soul-affliction  did  I  comfort  win, 
Confessing  every  public,  private  sin ; 

Lo !  this  is  the  appointed  Judgment  Day, 
A  covenant  eternal  set  within. 

The  day  of  pardon  set  to  wean  from  vice, 
Remorse  replacing  ancient  sacrifice. 

Ah,  could  I  but  beneath  His  shadow  stay. 
He  knows  the  weakness  of  my  own  device. 

The  wonders  of  Thy  grace  let  me  explore, 

When  Thou  Thy  sheep  and  lambs  art  counting  o'er; 

Lo !  this  Thy  flock  is  shepherded  of  Thee, 
Nor  e'er  forgets  the  wonders  wrought  of  yore. 

Renew  Thy  deeds  to  save  Thy  faithful  flock, 
The  fear  of  Thee  is  all  their  treasure-stock; 

Ah,  let  the  foes  who  judge  us  learn  to  s~e 
How  little  is  their  rock  beside  our  Rock. 

When  "Israel's  Holy  Rock"  the  heathen  cry, 
God  in  their  eyes  Himself  shall  sanctify. 

Thus  righteousness  in  these  He  brings  to  bud, 
Down-looking  from  His  holy  place  on  high. 

He  will  restore  the  Temple  and  ifs  laws, 
The  glory  of  His  presence  there  shall  pause ; 

Lo !  men  shall  tremble  when  the  Judge  of  blood 
Arises  to  espouse  His  people's  cause. 

441 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ah,  side  with  us,  make  hostile  clamor  cease, 
Thy  people  from  accusing  tongues  release, 

So  Thy  beloved  shall  rechant  Thy  praise ; 
For  happiness  awaits  the  sons  of  peace. 

Then  let  Thy  peace  irradiate  all  things, 
Account  our  orisons  as  offerings; 

Ah,  flood  us  with  Thy  Presence  *as  with  rays, 
From  Zion  goes  the  Law,  the  prophet  sings: 

That  Law  the  faithful  heard  at  Sinai, 

To  which  they  brought  attentive  ear  and  eye, 

Lo!  God  this  day  His  faithful  nation  thanks, 
He  is  a  God  who  softens  at  our  cry. 

The  Lord  shall  lead  us  even  after  death, 

He  saves  from  wrath  and  pain  our  mortal  breath ; 

Lo !  arrogance  as  ignorance  He  ranks, 
"It  is  My  people's  ignorance,"  He  saith. 

SIMEON  BEN  ISAAC  BEN  ABUN. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 

Even  as  the  Daily   Offering 

Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord,  and  bow 
myself  before  the  high  God  ?  Shall  I  come  before  him 
with  burnt  offerings,  with  calves  of  a  year  old?  .  .  . 
He  hath  shewed  thee  O  man,  what  is  good;  and  what 
doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly,  and 
to  love  mercy  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God? — 
Mich.  via  6  and  8. 

JUDGE  of  the  earth  who  wilt  arraign 
The  nations   at  Thy  judgment   seat, 
With  life  and  favour  bless  again 

Thy  prostrate  people  at  Thy  feet. 
And  mayest  Thou  our  morning  prayer 
Receive,  O  Lord,  as  though  it  were 
•The  offering  that  was  wont  to  be 
Brought  day  by  day  continually. 

442 


LITURGICAL 

Thou  who  art  clothed  with  righteousness, 

Supreme  exalted  over  all, 
How  oftsoever  we  transgress, 

Do  Thou  with  pardoning  love  recall 
Those  who  in  Hebron  sleep;  and  let 
Their  memory  live  before  Thee  yet, 
Even   as  the  offering  unto  Thee 
Offered  of  old  continually. 

Trust  in  God's  strength  and  be  ye  strong, 

My  people  and  His  laws  obey, 
Then  will  He  pardon  sin  and  wrong, 

Then  mercy  will  His  wrath  outweigh. 
Seek  ye  His  presence  and  implore 
His  countenance  forevermore, 
Then  shall  your  prayers  accepted  be 
As  offerings  brought  continually. 

SOLOMON  BEN  ABUN. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 


Supplication 
(Paraphrased  from  the  Hebrew  of  R.  Jose  ben  Jose.) 


sins  are  many,  and  we  sigh 
For  that'  we  hearkened  not  to  Thee 
When  all  the  time  we  knew  Thee  nigh, 

But  proud  in  our  prosperity 
We  went  our  ways  with  head  on  high. 

Now  wasted  is  our  strength,  and  we 
Are  like  an  armless  soldier  grown; 

All  that  our  fathers  wrought  for  Thee 
Is  nought,  and  now  we  stand  alone 

In  shame  and  dire  infirmity. 

443 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

We  are  like  stubble  on  the  plain 

That  no  one  seeks  to  gather  in 
Or  load  upon  the  harvest  wain — 

Consuming  fire  will  purge  our  sin 
And  lead  us  pure  to  Thee  again. 

O  Lord,  Thy  seal  accounts  us  Thine; 

Of  yore  when  in  our  dire  distress 
We  craved  Thy  charity  divine, 

Thou  didst  us  with  Thy  mercy  bless; 
O  be  Thou  in  this  hour  benign! 

The  driven  leaf  let  healing  cure, 
Repent  Thee  for  this  human  dust. 

O  cleanse  us  that  we  may  be  pure, 

Let  all  our  sins  from  Thee  be  thrust — 

Thy  mercy  is  for  ever  sure ! 

JOSE  BEN  JOSE. 


Lot  As  the  Potter  Mouldeth 

T    O!  as  the  potter  mouldeth  plastic  clay 
•*"-*  To  forms  his  varying  fancy  doth  display; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  love,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo!  as  the  mason's  hand  the  block  doth  hew 
To  shapes  sublime,  or  into  fragments  strew; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  life,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo!  as  the  smith  the  rigid  steel  hath  bent, 
Soften'd  with  fire  and  wrought  with  strength  unspent; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  might,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo !  as  the  seaman's  hand  doth  cast  or  weigh 
The  pond'rous  anchor  in  the  foaming  spray; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  pardon,  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

444 


LITURGICAL 

Lo!  as  the  worker  melteth  vitreous  flow, 
And  shapeth  vessels  from  the  crystal  blow; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  grace,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo!  as  th'  embroid'rer's  hand  the  robe  hath  made, 
At  will  in  lines  of  beauty,  light  and  shade; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  fear,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo!  as  the  smelter  fuseth  silv'ry  vein, 
Removing  dross,   that  naught  impure  remain; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  healing,  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

Lo!  as  the  potter  mouldeth  plastic  clay 
To  forms  his  varying  fancy  doth  display; 
So  in  Thy  hand,  O  God  of  love,  are  we: 
Thy  bond  regard,  let  sin  be  veil'd  from  Thee. 

ELSIE  DAVIS. 


Happy  He  Who  Saw  of  Old 

LJAPPY  he  who  saw  of  old 

*  •*•  The  high  priest,  with  gems  and  gold 

All  adorned  from  crown  to  hem, 

Tread  thy  courts,  Jerusalem, 

Till  he  reached  the  sacred  place 

Where  the  Lord's  especial  grace 

Ever  dwelt,  the  centre  of  the  whole. 

Happy  he  whose  eyes 

Saw  at  last  the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 

But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

Happy  he  that  day  who  saw 
How,  with  reverence  and  awe 
And  with  sanctity  of  mien, 
Spoke  the  priest:  "Ye  shall  be  clean 

445 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

From  your  sins  before  the  Lord." 

Echoed  long  the  holy  word, 

While  around  the  fragrant  incense  stole. 

Happy  he  whose  eyes 

Saw  at  last  the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 

But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

Happy  he  who  saw  the  crowd, 

That  in  adoration  bowed, 

As  they  heard  the  priest  proclaim: 

"One,  Ineffable,  the  Name," 

And  they  answered,  "Blessed  be 

God   the  Lord  eternally, 

He  whom  all  created  worlds  extol." 

Happy  he  whose  eyes 

Saw  at  last  the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 

But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

Happy  he  who  saw  the  priest 

Turning  toward  the  shining  East, 

And,  with  solemn  gladness  thrilled, 

Read  the  doctrine  that  distilled 

As  the  dew  upon  the  plain, 

As  the  showers  of  gentle  rain, 

While  he  raised  on  high  the  sacred  scroll. 

Happy  he  whose  eyes 

Saw  at  last  the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 

But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

Happy  he  who  saw  the  walls 
Of  the  temple's  radiant  halls, 
Where  the  golden  cherubim 
Hide  the  ark's  recesses  dim, 
Heard  the  singer's  choral  song, 
Saw  the  Levites'  moving  throng, 
Saw  the  golden  censer  and  the  bowl. 
Happy  he  whose  eyes 
Saw  at  last  the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 
But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

446 


LITURGICAL 

Ever  thus  the  burden  rang 

Of  the  pious  songs  they  sang. 

All  the  glories  past  and  gone 

Israel  once  did  gaze  upon, 

Glories  of  the  sacred  fane, 

Which  they  mourned  and  mourned  again, 

With  a  bitterness  beyond  control. 

Happy  he  whose  eyes 

Saw   (they  said)   the  cloud  of  glory  rise, 

But  to  hear  of  it  afflicts  our  soul. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Lucas.) 

The  Lifting  of  Mine  Hands 

PHE  lifting  of  mine  hands  accept  of  me 

As  though  it  were  pure  evening  sacrifice, 
And  let  my  prayer  be  incense  of  sweet  spice 
Accounted  right  and  perfect  unto  Thee. 
And  when  I  call  Thee,  hear;  for  day  once  more 
Sinks  to  the  hour  when  Israel  brought  of  yore 
The  evening  sacrifice. 

My  words  before  Thee  shall  be  savours  sweet, 
O  everlasting  Rock;  and  all  the  waste 
Of  strength  and  body  spent  in  this  my  fast 

Shall  seem  to  Thee  a  sacrifice  complete. 

Take  mine  heart's  prayer,  which,  these  ten  days  within, 

I  have  prepared  like  offerings  for  sin 
And  evening  sacrifice. 

Seek  them  this  day  that  seek  Thee;  let  them  find 
Thy  mercy,  sought  from  Thee  by  their  lips'  fruit, 
Look  at  their  throng  assembled  destitute ; 

Cleanse  them  like  silver  seven  times  refined. 

Accept  their  prayer  like  one  lamb,  where  there  stand 

TWTO  hundred  sheep  from  Israel's  pasture-land 
For  evening  sacrifice. 

447 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Count  it  a  whole  burnt  offering  when  I  call; 

Prevail  with  him  that  is  my  wrongful  foe. 

O  make  my  righteousness  like  light  to  glow 
Before  the  sun  shall  set  and  evening  fall. 
Each  man  pours  out  his  heart  in  this  his  word, 
And  brings  his  gift  to  offer  to  the  Lord 
An  evening  sacrifice. 

Jeshurun,  thy  people,  of  Thy  mercy  sing, 
Holding  a  goodly  doctrine;  bend  Thine  ear, 
Open  Thine  eyes  on  them,  and  see,  and  hear 

How  good  it  is  to  stand  thus  tarrying 

At  portals  of  Thy  pity,  till  Thou  lift 

Out  of  the  hand  of  him  that  brings  his  gift 
An  evening  sacrifice. 

In  Thy  great  mercy  hear  and  understand 
My  words,  my  meditation;  if  I  hold 
Grace  in  Thy  sight,  O  God,  Who  from  of  old 
Hast  been  a  dwelling-place,  then  from  mine  hand 
Take  Thou  the  gift  I  bring  Thee,  pleading  here 
With  supplication  when  the  hour  draws  near 
For  evening  sacrifice. 

God  whom  we  have  not  found,  whose  might  is  whole 
For  them,  Thou  madest  Thine  in  ages  gone, 
If  man  give  much  or  little  'tis  all  one — 
When  he  returns  Thou  wilt  accept  his  soul — 
If  but  his  heart  be  true  when  he  shall  draw 
Night  with  his  offering:  this  is  all  the  law 
Of  evening  sacrifice. 

When  sanctuary  and  altar  stood  of  old 
Within  their  border  on  the  ancient  spot, 
They  made  atonement,  choosing  forth  by  lot 
He-goats  for  offering;  now,  if  God  should  hold 
That  our  trangression  should  our  death  demand, 
He  would  not  take  burnt  offering  from  our  hand 
Nor  evening  sacrifice. 

448 


LITURGICAL 

But  supplications  do  Thy  people  speak, 
Seeking  forgiveness  with   a  bitter  heart ; 
Behold  them  standing  at  the  siege  apart, 
Watching,  entreating  Thee  whose  face  they  seek, 
Hoping  Thou  wilt  give  respite  for  their  debt 
At  even — saying  "I  shall  appease  him  yet 
With  evening  sacrifice." 

Jerusalem  Thy  city  build  again, 

And   all   her  cities  strengthen   round   about, 
And  her  oppressed  prisoners  bring  out 
To  freedom,  loosened  from  the  binding  chain, 
Sweet  be  their  offering  as  in  days  of  yore, 
And  Thou  wilt  turn,  Thou  wilt  accept  once  more 
Their  evening  sacrifice. 

All  Israel's  outcasts,  Judah's  scattered  ones 
Shall  yet  again  be  gathered  to  Thine  hand, 
And   fed   as  by  a  shepherd   in   good   land ; 
And  God  shall  sit  refining  Israel's  sons 
Like  gold  until  their  cleansing  shall  be  wrought 
And  they  shall  be  to  Him  as  though  they  brought 
An  evening  sacrifice. 

MORDECAI    BEN    SHABBETHAI. 

(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


Since  We  Be  Standing 

CINCE  we  be  standing  even  yet,  to  be 

*^        As  ministers  before  Thee  in  Thy  Name, 

And   spread  our  hands  out,  having  naught  for  Thee 

Of  that  oblation  wherewith  once  we  came — 
Hear  now,  O  Lord,  Thy  people's  voice  and  hold 
Their  crying  for  their  sacrifice  of  old. 

That  He  maintain  the  cause  of  His  servant  and  the 

cause  of  His  people  Israel,  as  every  day  shall 

require. 

449 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

All  those  who  watched  Thy  doors  have  passed  away, 
Who  guarded  for  Thy  treasury  its  due; 

There  is  no  ofFring  and  no  gift  this  day, 

And  still  can  justice  pierce  a  mountain  through, 

Yet  so  shall  Jacob's  sin  be  purged  at  last, 

And  his  atonement  made  in  this  his  fast. 

See,  for  the  coin  for  ofFring  faileth  now, 
The  silver  of  the  ransom  for  my  soul; 

But  wherefore,  O  my  soul,   art  stricken  low? 
Nay,  bless  the  Lord  and  verily  extol. 

For  He  will  soon  repent  Him  for  His  own 

Judging  His  people  from  the  eternal  throne. 

A  day  of  pardon  is  appointed  us 

To  make  repentance  for  our  souls  therein; 
Yea,  though  Thine  altar  still  be  empty  thus, 

Our  soul's  affliction  pleadeth  for  our  sin. 
Of  old  our  fathers  trusted  in  Thy  Name, 
They  trusted,  and  from  Thee  redemption  came. 

Because  the  hand  was  once  sent  forth  to  lay 
Their  dwelling-places  low,   their  cities   fair, 

No  ofFring  hath  been  brought  Thee  since  the  day 
The  sanctuary  was  wasted  and  laid  bare. 

Yet  vengeance  on  His  foemen  He  will  take, 

And  make  atonement  for  His  people's  sake. 

For  incense  brought  to  Thee,  which  is  no  more, 
Mine  orison  shall  drop  as  fragrant  spice; 

The  prayer  of  the  afflicted,   burdened   sore, 
Shall  be  a  handful  sweet  for  sacrifice; 

So  that  he  may  not  perish  in  the  pit, 

Nor  want  for  bread  nor  go  forth  lacking. 

Keep  Thou  the  portal  of  my  lips,  accept 

Their  gift  as  that  brought  once  in  priestly  hand ; 

Let  those  who  call  on  stocks  or  trees  be  swept 
From  where  my  fathers  prayed  on  hallowed  land. 

Yet,  let  the  Lord  to  jealousy  be  moved 

For  His  own  land,  and  pity  those  He  loved. 

450 


LITURGICAL 

Since  we  be  standing  even  yet,  to  be 

As  ministers  before  Thee  in  Thy  Name, 

And  spread   our  hands  out,   having  naught  for  Thee 
Of  that  oblation  wherewith  once  we  came — 

Hear  now,   O  Lord,  Thy  people's  voice,  and  hold 

Their  crying  for  their  sacrifice  of  old. 

That  He  maintain  the  cause  of  His  servant  and  the 

cause  of  His  people  Israel,  as  every  day  shall 

require. 

EPHRAIM  BEN  ISAAC. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


I  Am  the  Suppliant 

\  AM  the  suppliant  for  my  people  here, 
*•  Yea,  for  the  House  of  Israel,  I  am  he; 
I  seek  my  God's  benign  and  heedful  ear, 
For  words  that  rise  from  me. 

Amid  the  walls  of  hearts  that  stand  around, 
My  bitter  sighs  surge  up  to  mount  the  sky; 

Ah !  how  my  heart  doth  part  with  ceaseless  bound 
For  God,  my  Rock  on  high. 

With  mighty  works  and  wondrous  He  hath  wrought, 
Lord  of  my  strength,  my  God.     When  me  He  bade 

To  make  a  sanctuary  for  Him,  I  sought, 
I  labored,  and  'twas  made. 

The  Lord  my  God,  He  hath  fulfilled  His  word — 

He  ruleth  as  an  all-consuming  fire — 
I  came  with  sacrifice,  my  prayer  He  heard, 

He  granted  my  desire. 

My  sprinkling  He  accepted  at  the  dawn 
Of  this,  the  holiest  day,  the  chosen  one, 

When  with  the  daily  offering  of  the  morn 
The  High  Priest  had  begun. 

45* 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  when  the  services  thereafter  came 
In  glorious  order,  each  a  sacred  rite, 

I,  bending  low,  and  calling  on  the  Name, 
Confessed  before  His  sight. 

The  holy  Priests,  the  ardent,  for  their  sin 
Upon  this  day  made  their  atonement  then, 

With  blood  of  bullocks  and  of  goats,  within 
The  city  full  of  men. 

The  Priest  with  glowing  censer  seemed   as  one 
Preparing  for  the  pure  a  way  by  fire. 

I  brought  two  rams  and  entered  as  a  son 
That  cometh  to  his  sire. 

The  bathings  and  ablutions,  as  'twas  meet, 
Were  all  performed  according  to  their  way; 

Then  passed  before  the  throne  of  God  complete 
The  service  of  the  day. 

And  when  sweet  strains  of  praise  to  glorify 
Burst  forth  in  psalmody  and  songs  of  love, 

Yea,  when  I  heard  the  voice  uplifted  high, 
I  raised  mine  hand  above. 

The  rising  clouds  of  incense  mantled  o'er 
The  mercy-seat  within  its  sacred  space: 

Then  glory  filled  me  and  my  soul  would  soar 
To  yon  exalted  place. 

Of  ancient  times  I  dream,  of  vanished  days; 

Now  wild  disquiet  rageth  unrestrained ; 
Scorned  and   reproached  by  all  from  godly  ways 

Have  I,  alas,  refrained. 

Afar  mine  eyes  have  strayed  and  I  have  erred, 
Even  the  hearing  of  mine  ears  I  quelled ; 

And  righteous  is  the  Lord,  for  at  His  word 
I  sorely  have  rebelled. 

452 


LITURGICAL 

Perverseness  have  I  loved,  and  wrongful  thought, 
And  hating  good,  strove  righteousness  to  shun, 

And  in  mine  actions  foolishness  have  wrought; 
Great  evil  have  I  done. 

Pardon  I  pray  Thee,  our  iniquity, 

O  God,  from  Thine  high  dwelling,  and  behold 
The  souls  that  in  affliction  weep  to  Thee — 

For  lo!  I  have  grown  old. 

Work  for  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  marvels  now, 
O  Lord  of  Hosts!  in  mercy  lull  our  fears; 

Answer  with  potent  signs  and  be  not  Thou 
Silent  to  all  my  tears. 

Open  Thine  hand  exalted,  nor  revile 

The  hearts  not  comforted,  but  pierced  with  care, 
Praying  with  fervent  lips,  that  know  not  guile, 

O  hearken  to  my  prayer! 

BARUCH  BEN  SAMUEL. 
(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


All  the  World  Shall  Come  to  Serve  Thee 

A  LL  the  world  shall  come  to  serve  Thee 
•**       And  bless  Thy  glorious  Name, 
And  Thy  righteousness  triumphant 

The  islands  shall  acclaim. 
And  the  peoples  shall  go  seeking 

Who  knew  Thee  not  before, 
And  the  ends  of  earth  shall  praise  Thee, 

And  tell  Thy  greatness  o'er. 

They  shall  build  for  Thee  their  altars, 

Their  idols  overthrown, 
And  their  graven  gods  shall  shame  them, 

As  they  turn  to  Thee  alone. 

453 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

They  shall  worship  Thee  at  sunrise, 
And  feel  Thy  Kingdom's  might, 

And  impart  their  understanding 
To  those  astray  in  night. 

They  shall  testify  Thy  greatness, 

And  of  Thy  power  speak, 
And  extol  Thee,  shrined,  uplifted 

Beyond  man's  highest  peak. 
And  with  reverential  homage, 

Of  love  and  wonder  born, 
With  the  ruler's  crown  of  beauty 

Thy  head  they  shall  adorn. 

With  the  coming  of  Thy  Kingdom 

The  hills  shall  break  into  song, 
And  the  islands  laugh  exultant 

That  they  to  God  belong. 
And   all   their  congregations 

So  loud  Thy  praise  shall  sing, 
That  the  uttermost  peoples  hearing, 

Shall  hail  Thee  crowrned  King. 

(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 


In  the  Height  and  Depth  of  His  Burning 

TN  the  height  and  depth  of  His  burning, 
*       Where  mighty  He  sits  on  the  throne, 
His  light  He  unveils  and  His  yearning 

To  all  who  revere  Him  alone. 
His  promises  never  are  broken, 

His  greatness  all  measure  exceeds; 
Then  exalt  Him  who  gives  you  for  token 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

He  marshals  the  planets  unbounded, 

He  numbers  the  infinite  years; 
The  seat  of  His  empire  is  founded 

More  deep  than  the  nethermost  spheres; 

454 


LITURGICAL 

He  looks  on  the  lands  from  His  splendor; 

They  tremble  and  quiver  like  reeds ; 
Then  exalt  ye  in  lowly  surrender 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

The  worlds  He  upholds  in  their  flying, 

His  feet  on  the  footstool  of  earth; 
His  word  hath  established  undying 

Whatever  His  word  brought  to  birth. 
The  ruler  of  hosts  is  His  title; 

Then  exalt  Him  in  worshipful  creeds, 
Declaring  in  solemn  recital 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

He  is  master  of  all  He  created, 

Sublime  in  His  circle  of  light; 
His  strength  with  His  glory  is  mated, 

His  greatness  at  one  with  His  might. 
So  that  Seraphim  over  Him  winging, 

Obeying  an  angel  that  leads, 
Unite  in  the  rapture  of  singing 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

His  renown  fills  the  heavenly  spaces: 

The  world  He  beholds  to  its  ends: 
His  foes,  who  are  mine,  too,  He  chases ; 

I  count  all  who  love  Him  my  friends. 
Exalted  be  therefore  His  glory, 

His  praises  be  scattered  as  seeds, 
Till  all  the  world  learns  the  great  story, 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

But  of  man — ah!  the  tale  is  another, 

His  counsels  are  evil  and  vain: 
He  dwells  with  deceit  as  a  brother, 

And  the  worm  is  the  close  of  his  reign. 
Into  earth  he  is  carted  and  shovelled, 

And  who  shall  recount  or  who  heeds, 
When  above  earth  he  strutted  or  grovelled, 

His  marvellous  deeds? 

455 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Not  so  God ! — earth  on  nothing  He  founded, 

And  on  emptiness  stretched  out  the  sky; 
With  land  the  great  waters  He  bounded, 

And  bade  all  their  breeds  multiply. 
In  light  He  is  clad  as  a  raiment:    ^ 

His  greatness  no  eulogy  needs; 
Yet  exalt,  'tis  your  only  repayment, 

His  marvellous  deeds. 

MESHULLAM  BEN  KALONYMUS. 

(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 


Lord,  I  Remember 

I    ORD,   I  remember,  and  am  sore  amazed 
To  see  each  city  standing  in  her  state, 
And  God's  own  city  to  the  low  grave  razed: 
Yet  in  all  time  we  look  to  Thee  and  wait. 

Send  us  Thy  mercy,  O  Redeemer!     Make, 

O  Thou  my  soul,  to  Him  thy  mournful  plaint; 

And  crave  compassion  for  my  people's  sake: 
Each  head  is  weary  and  each  heart  is  faint. 

I  rest  on  pillars,  on  God's  holy  parts, 

On   tears  that  flow  with   never-ceasing  might; 

I  pour  out  prayer  to  Him  who  searcheth  hearts: 
Herein  I  trust,  and  in  the  Father's  right. 

O  Thou  who  hearest  weeping,  healest  woe, 
Our  tears  within  Thy  vase  of  crystal  store; 

Save  us,  and  all  Thy  dread  decrees  forego, 
For  unto  Thee  our  eyes  turn  evermore. 

MORDECAI   BEN   SHABBETHAI. 

(Translated  by  Nina  Davis.) 


456 


IV 

NATIONAL 


NATIONAL 


Hatikvah — A  Song  of  Hope 

WHILE  within  a  Jewish  breast 

Beats  true  a  Jewish  heart, 
And  Jewish  glances  turning  East 
To  Zion  fondly  dart, — 

CHORUS 

O  then  our  Hope — it  is  not  dead, 
Our  ancient  Hope  and  true, 

Again  the  sacred  soil  to  tread 
Where    David's    banners    flew! 

O  while  the  tears  flow  down  apace, 
And  fall  like  bounteous  rain, 

And  to  the  Fathers'  resting-place 
Sweeps  on  the  mournful  train, — 

And  while  upon  our  eager  eye 

Flashes  the  City's  wall, 
And  for  the  wasted  Sanctuary 

The  tear-drops  trembling  fall, — 

O  while  the  Jordan's  pent-up  tide 

Leaps  downward  rapidly, 
And  while  its  gleaming  waters  glide 

Through  Galilee's  blue  sea, — 

And  while  upon  the  Highway  there 
Lowers  the  stricken  Gate, 

And  from  the  Ruins  Zion's  prayer 
Upriseth  passionate, — 

O  while  the  pure  floods  of  her  eyes 
Flow  for  her  People's  plight, 

And  Zion's  Daughter   doth  arise 
And  weep  the  long,  long  night! — 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  while  through  vein  in  ceaseless  stream 
The  bright  blood  pulses  yet, 

And  on  our  Fathers'  tombs  doth  gleam 
The  dew  when  sun  is  set! — 

Hear,  Brothers  mine,  where  e'er  ye  be, 
This  Truth  by  Prophet  won; 

1  'Tis  then  our  Hope  shall  cease  to  be 
With  Israel's  last  son!" — 

NAPHTALI   HERZ   IMBER. 
(Translated  by  Henry  Snowman.) 


Zionist  Marching  Song 

I 

I    IKE  the  crash  of  the  thunder 
"         Which  splitteth  asunder 

The  flame  of  the  cloud, 
On  our  ears  ever  falling, 
A  voice  is  heard  calling 

From  Zion  aloud: 
"Let  your  spirits'  desires 
For  the  land  of  your  sires 

Eternally  burn. 
From  the  foe  to  deliver 
Our  own  holy  river, 

To  Jordan  return." 
Where  the  soft,  flowing  stream 
Murmurs  low  as  in  dream, 

There  set  we  our  watch. 
Our  watchword  "The  sword 
Of  our  land  and  our  Lord — " 

By  Jordan  there  set  we  our  watch. 

II 

Rest  in  peace,  loved  land, 
For  we  rest  not,  but  stand, 


NATIONAL 

Off  shaken  our  sloth. 
When  the  bolts  of  war  rattle 
To  shirk  not  the  battle, 

We  make  thee  our  oath, 
As  we  hope  for  a  Heaven, 
Thy  chains  shall  be  riven, 

Thine  ensign  unfurled. 
And  in  pride  of  our  race 
We  will  fearlessly  face 

The  might  of  the  world. 
When  our  trumpet  is  blown 
And  our  standard  is  flown, 

Then  set  we  our  watch. 
Our  watchword,  "The  sword 
Of  our  land  and  our  Lord — " 

By  Jordan  then  set  we  our  watch. 

Ill 

Yea,  as  long  as  there  be 
Birds  in  air,  fish  in  sea, 

And  blood  in  our  veins; 
And  the  lions  in  might, 
Leaping  down  from  the  height, 

Shake,  roaring,  their  manes; 
And  the  dew  nightly  laves 
The  forgotten  old  graves 

WTiere  Judah's  sires  sleep, 
We  swear,  who  are  living, 
To  rest  not  in  striving, 

To  pause  not  to  weep; 
Let  the  trumpet  be  blown, 
Let  the  standard  be  flown, 

Now  set  we  our  watch. 
Our  watchword,  "The  sword 
Of  our  land  and  our  Lord — " 

In  Jordan  now  set  we  our  watch. 

NAPHTALI  HERZ  IMBER. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Zangwill.) 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Onward 

I 
TV/HERE  are  you  going,  soldiers, 

With  banners  and  drawn  sword? 
We're  marching  East  to  Palestine 

To  battle  for  the  Lord! 
What  captain  leads  your  bands 

Along  the  sandy  coasts? 
The  Mighty  One  of  Israel, 

His  name  is  Lord  of  Hosts! 
To  Palestine,  to  Palestine, 

The  Lord  will  lead  us  through — 
To  blow  before  the  heathen  walls 

The  trumpets  of  the  Jew. 

ii 

What  flag  is  this  you  carry, 

In  this  your  Holy  War? 
The  same  our  grandsires  raised  aloft, 

The  same  our  fathers  bore. 
On  many  a  battlefield,  intact, 

It  caught  the  crimson  rain, 
For  what  was  woven  in  God's  loom, 

No  man  can  rend  in  twain. 
To  Palestine,  to  Palestine 

The  Lord  will  lead  us  through, 
To  plant  upon   its  mountain-heights 

The  standard  of  the  Jew. 

Ill 

What  song  is  this  you're  singing? 

The  same  that  Israel  sang 
When  Moses  led  the  mighty  choir, 

And   Miriam's  timbrel  rang. 
"To  Palestine,  to  Palestine!" 

Both  young  and  old  have  cried; 
"To  Palestine,  to  Palestine"— 

The  people's  voice  replied. 

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NATIONAL 

To  Palestine,  to  Palestine, 

The  Lord  will  lead  us  through 

To  thunder  in  the  usurper's  ear 
The  anthem  of  the  Jew. 

IV 

When  Salem's  foes  are  scattered 

And  all  the  path  lies  free, 
What    follows   next   in    order? 

Our  God  to  that  will  see. 
He'll  break  the  tyrant's  sceptre, 

He'll  build  the  people's  throne — 
When  half  the  world  is  Freedom's, 

Then  all  the  world's  our  own. 
To  Palestine,  to  Palestine, 

The  Lord  will  lead  us  through. 

J.  M.  MANICOFF. 

On) 

\Y7HEN  Israel  marched  from  Egypt  land, 

**         And  broke  her  yoke  of  slavery, 
And  standing  by  the  Red  Sea  strand, 
Drank  her  first  draught  of  Liberty, 
And  torrid  Afric's  horrid  hordes  came  on  with  new- 
linked  chains,  once  more 

Her  limbs  to  bind ; 

And  trembling  Israel  cried  to  Heaven  when  she  beheld 
the  sea  before, 

The  foe  behind ; 
Then  burst  a  voice  from  high; 
Why  do  the  children  cry — 
Why  do  the  children  cry  to  me? 
Why  do  they  not  go  on? 

And  Israel  found  her  promised  home- — 

And  lost  it;  and  her  Destiny 
Has  forced  her,  ever  since,  to  roam 

In  search  of  it  o'er  land  and  sea. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  blood-soaked  foot-prints  mark  her  path,  through 
briers,  and  beasts,  and  storms,  and  stress, 

— Her  life  one  dirge; 

Yet  some  of  Israel's  sons,   from  out  the  black  medi- 
aeval wilderness, 

Did  at  last  emerge. 
And  now,  from  a  foreign  strand, 
We  long  for  our  native  land ; 
And  again  the  command  in  our  ears,  as  we  stand: 
Why  do  they  not  go  on! 

Yes!     We  are  through — we  favored  few; 

And  some  of  us  would  rest  content, 
If  only  our  poor  brother  Jew 

Would  not  scream  so  when  being  rent. 
We're   tired    of   wandering   through   the   world,   but, 
brothers,  we  can  have  no  rest 

Here  on  the  strand ; 

Behind  come  foes  .more  cruel  far  than  the  seas  of  hard- 
ship we  must  breast 

For  our  Fatherland. 
— Now,  brothers,  which  is  it  to  be: 
The  foe,  or  the  God-governed  sea? 
Come,  make  your  choice  with  me,  for  the  sea! 
And  let  us  on,  on,  on!  GEORGE  BENEDICT. 


To  the  Glory  of  Jerusalem 

BEAUTIFUL  height!     O  joy!  the  whole  world's 
gladness! 

O  great  King's  city,  mountain  blest! 
My  soul  is  yearning  unto  thee — is  yearning 
From  limits  of  the  west. 

The  torrents  heave  from  depths  of  mine  heart's  passion, 

At  memory  of  thine  olden  state: 
The  glory  of  thee  which  was  born  to  exile, 

Thy  dwelling  desolate. 

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NATIONAL 

And  who  shall  grant  me  but  to  rise  and  reach  thee, 

Flying  on  eagle's  pinions  fleet, 
That  I  may  shed  upon  thy  dust,  beloved, 

Tears,  till  thy  dust  grow  sweet? 

I  seek  thee,  though  thy  King  be  no  more  in  thee, 
Though  where  the  balm  hath  been  of  old — 

Thy  Gilead's  balm — be  poisonous  adders  lurking, 
Winged  scorpions  manifold. 

Is  it  not  to  thy  stones  I  shall  be  tender? 

Shall  I  not  kiss  them  verily? 
Shall  not  the  earth  taste  on  my  lips  be  sweeter 

Than  honey — the  earth  of  thee? 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 


Jerusalem 

JERUSALEM!     Jerus'lem!  thy  glories  have  fled, 
Thy  Kings  wander  crownless,  pale  ghosts  of  the 

past  ; 

Thy  beauty,  thy  valor,  thy  might,  are  all  dead  ; 
But  Hope  is  still  left  thee — 'tis  all  that  thou  hast ! 

Though  the  sword  of  the  warrior's  tarnished  with  rust, 
And  the  war-steed  lies  bleeding  along  the  red  earth  ; 

Though  thy  towers  have  crumbled  long  since  into  dust, 
And  the  songs  of  the  Priests  but  in  sorrow  have 
birth  ; 

Yet  the  Great  God  of  Heaven  will  brighten  the  stain, 
And  breathe  in  the  war-horse,  strength,  power,  and 
might ; 

Thy  ramparts,  Oh  Salem!  shall  tower  again, 
And  the  Priests'  Holy  Temple  arise  in  thy  sight. 

Then,  Queen  of  the  East !  let  thy  tears  cease  to  flow — 
Thy  God  liveth  ever;  He  is  mighty  to  save; 

The  diadem  yet  shall  encircle  thy  brow, 

When  those  who  now  rule,  shall  have  passed  in  the 
grave. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

For  the  Future  hath  gladness  for  thee  in  its  womb, 
And   the  harp  will  again   sound   thy   triumph   and 
praise ; 

Nor  sorrow,  nor  blight,  will  e'er  shadow  with  gloom, 
The  Sun  of  thy  Glory,  the  Light  of  thy  Days. 

And  nations  will  bow,  as  they  did  once  before, 

And  quake  in  thy  presence  with  dread  and  alarm ; 
For  strong  are  the  people,  who  rest  them  secure 
In  the  Faith  of  His  word,  and  the  Might  of  His 
arm. 

P.  C.  L. 


Zion 

lovely  dwellings  fall  the  fervid  rays, 
The  naked  rocks  lift  high  their  heads  in  air, 

Dust-covered  stones  fling  back  the  noon-day's  glare 
And  strange  old  ruins  tell  of  ancient  days. 
A  motley  throng  creeps  through  the  narrow  ways, 

Pilgrims  from  far  off  lands  whose  faces  bear 

The  look  that  tells  of  by-gone  toil  and  care, 
Of  weary  journeys  and  of  long  delays. 
What  magic  is  there  in  this  torrid  clime? 

What  fascination  in  these  hoary  walls? 

What  charm   dwells   here   that   sovereignly  calls 
To  hearts  of  men  throughout  the  reach  of  time, 

Heedless  of  earthly  gain,  yet  draws  the  soul 

Through  want  and  hardship,  to  what  mighty  goal? 

This  was  the  ancient  home  of  Israel; 

Here  lived  our  fathers  fearless  and  free; 

Here  lives  a  glory  and  a  memory; 
And  we  His  chosen  ones,  once  more  shall  dwell, 
Majestic,  jubilant,   invincible, 

In  this,  our  heritage;  our  eyes  shall  see 

The  long-ago  that  is  again  to  be; 
The  peace  that  has  no  ending  shall  dispel 

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NATIONAL 

The  dreaming  and  the  doubt,  the  hopes,  the  fears. 

With  love  and  longing  we  await  that  day 
Whose  dawn  beholds  the  yearning  of  the  years 

Fulfilled  at  last,  and,  while  we  waiting,  pray, 
A  newer  life  in  Mount  Moriah  wakes, 
All  over  Olivet  the  morning  breaks. 

Louis  FEDERLEICHT. 


A  Song  of  Zlon 

I 

JERUSALEM,  my  boast  and  pride, 
My  heart,  it  yearns  for  thee, 
The  land  where  peace  and  joy  abide, 
Thy  shores  when  shall  I  see? 

II 

0  perfect,  pure  and  pleasant  soil, 
Far-famed  as  Israel's  race, 

1  love  thy  fields,  thy  fruits,  thy  toil, 
Thy  trees  of  stately  grace. 

Ill 

'Neath  thy  blue  skies  no  mist  is  seen, 
No  drear  nor  darksome  night; 

Thy  very  hills  of  splend'rous  sheen, 
For  God  has  made  thee  right. 

IV 

Of  precious  stones  thy  wralls  are  made, 
Thy  ramparts,  jewels  rare, 

Thy  gates  of  oriental  jade, 
That  spread  a  radiant  glare. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Of  ivory  hue  thy  homes  are  built, 

Thy  windows,  crystal  clear; 
And  every  soul  is  free  from  guilt, 

For  God  hath  sent  His  cheer. 

VI 

Jerusalem !  my  people's  home, 

Would  God,  I  were  in  thee; 
No  more  the  Exile's  aimless  roam, 

My  paradise  across  the  sea. 

VII 

Where  shepherds  and  their  flocks  abound, 

Where  birds  prolong  their  lay, 
Where  flowers  bloom  the  whole  year  round, 

And  all  the  earth  seems  gay. 

VIII 

Thy  mountains  stand,  as  heroes  bold, 

Thy   rivers  softly  pass; 
Thy  pastures  oft  in  psalms  extolled, 

Of  nectar,  breathes  thy  grass. 

IX 

No  thing  that  is  not  passing  clean 

Can  come  within  thy  gates; 
On  every  side  a  smile  is  seen, 

And  joy  e'en  permeates. 


There  hate  and  envy  cannot  dwell, 
There  lucre  holds  no  sway, 

There  malice  died,  and  Sh'kina's  spell, 
Makes  heavy  hearts  feel  gay. 

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NATIONAL 

XI      .  nl 

Rememb'rest  thou  the  ancient  days, 
When  prophets  crowned  thy  streets, 

When   Levites  with   their  chants  of   praise 
Recalled  thy  wond'rous  feats? 

XII 

In  foreign  lands  thy  sons  abide, 

We  see  thee  but  in  dreams; 
We  sob,  we  sigh,  our  tears  are  dried 

And  Hope,  it  becks  and  beams. 

XIII 

"Another  year,"  we  softly  pray 

"O,  Lord,"  Thy  children  cry; 
"O,  take  us  back  to  Yesterday, 

To  Israel's  cherished  destiny." 

XIV 

Each  day  we  pray,  in  accents  low 
Would  God  I  were  with  thee; 

Our  Faith  is  strong,  our  hopes  they  grow 
Our  Fatherland  to  see. 

WALTER  VERNON-EPSTEIN. 

1 

The  Shoshanah 

I 

A   LILY  lies  broken  and  bare  on  a  highway — 
**•    Broken  and  bare  and  maimed; 
And  people  from  many  a  neighboring  byway 

Carelessly  pass  her,  shamed. 
Come  carelessly  passing  her,   lying  there  broken, 

Lying  mud-spattered  and  torn; 
Of  once  glorious  beauty  now  scarcely  a  token, 

She  seems  man  and  God-forlorn. 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

In  hope,  though  desponding, 

She  lies  unresponding 
To  insults,  to  jibes,  and  to  jeers; 

Herself  bruised  and  battered, 

Her   children   wind-scattered — 
A  mother  bemoaning  in  tears. 

II 

Lightly  the  all-crushing  Time-wheel  rolls  o'er  her, 

Leans  lightly,  and  then  rolls  on; 
Softly  the  all-burning  sunbeams   do  lower 

Their  fiercest  rays  for  her,  so  wan ; 
Time  lends  his  all-sheltering  hand  to  her — bleeding — 

And  soon  does  the  sun  heal  each  cut. 
But  men — Ah !  the  passing  men — push  her  unheeding, 
From  out  of  the  refuge  rut, 

"What  dost  thou,  poor  lily, 
On  highways  so  hilly, 
So  far  from  the  land  of  thy  birth? 
Thy  hopes  lead  thee  whither? 
How  earnest  thou  hither — 
This   hard-hearted,   rock-bestrewn   earth?" 

Ill 

"I  once  was  the  fairest  and  happiest  flower, 

Proudest  and  haughtiest  dame; 
By  the  King's  own  hands  tended,  in  his  royal  bower — 

The  Lily  of  Sharon,  my  name. 
But  the  weeds  they  rose  up  in  their  envy  to  choke  me, 

And  brought  me  very  low; 

And  cast  on  this  highway,  the  passersby  broke  me, 
And  filled  my  cup  with  woe. 
My  house,  it  is  Zion; 
My  hope,  Judah's  Lion; 
For  a  while  he  has  left  me  in  pain, 
Not  for  e'er  to  debase  me, 
But  soon  to  replace  me 
In  Zion  to  flourish  again." 

GEORGE  E.  CHODOWSKY. 

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NATIONAL 


The  Return 

THE  PEOPLE 

\Y7IDE  open,  ye  doors,  and  raise  up  high,  O  gate, 
*  *     We  are  coming  again,  who  have  waited  so  long — 

With  shouts  and  rejoicing,  with  music  and  song; 
Then  haste  ye,  companions,  nor  linger  nor  wait. 

ZION 

O  not  as  a  beggar  that  seeketh  for  alms, 
As  conquering  host  ye  are  coming  to  me, 
From  valley  and  mountain,  from  land  and  from  sea 

With  thunder  of  trumpets  and  waving  of  palms. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Our  flag  shall  be  planted  on  Zion's  fair  side, 

We  shall  rest  in  its  shade,  who  have  wandered  so 

long, 

Our  tears  turned  to  laughter,  our  sighs  into  song, 
Rejoicing  as  Bridegroom  that  greeteth  his  Bride. 

R.  E.  I. 

On  to  the  Promised  Land 

I 

A    DAWNING  sun  breaks  through  the  sable  cloud! 
**     Oh,  see  the  East  ablaze  in  crimson  hue! 
There  peals  a  mighty  blast  triumphant,  loud, 
A  call  to  rouse  the  ever-striving  Jew! 

CHORUS 

Arise  my  people  grand  in  story, 
Thy   little   ones   and    patriarchs   hoary, 
Illumined  by  thy  pristine  glory, 

And  form  one  mighty  band ! 
And  let  thy  shout  ascend  to  heaven, 
For  lo!  the  clouds  thy  dawn  hast  riven, 
Behold  fulfilled  the  promise  given, 

On  to  the  promised  land! 

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STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

II 

Now  beam  the  rosy  rays  throughout  the  lands, 
And  eyes  with  sorrow  dim  light  up  anew! 

In  every  clime  the  call  is  joining  bands 
Who  swing  aloft  the  standard  of  the  Jew ! 

Ill 

Oh!  let  the  mountain  land  beloved  of  God, 

Where  heroes  bled  and  prophets  falsehood  slew! 

No  longer  mourning-wrapt,  the  sacred  sod 

Blooms  forth  to  greet  the  home-returning  Jew! 

IV 

The  torrent  sweeps  and  melts  the  crags  away, 
A  nation's  cherished  dream  at  last  comes  true! 

For  now  indeed  has  come  the  promised  day 
Of  freedom  for  the  never-conquered  Jew! 

RUFUS  LEARSI. 
To  Zion 

PEOPLE  long  oppressed  and  stricken  sore, 
Condemned  as  wanderers  on  the  earth  to  mourn 
Across  the  age-long  darkness  of  thy  fate, 

There  breaks  at  length  the  radiance  of  the  dawn. 
Behold  a  land,  thy  birthright  and  thy  home, 

On   thee   by   Heaven  bestowed,   by   Heaven   with- 
drawn, 
Yet  promised  to  thy  seed  forevermore; 

Yea,  He,  the  Mighty  One,  Himself  hath  sworn. 
Behold   its  plains  unsown,  its  rock-strewn  slopes, 
Whereon  no  more  the  vine  and  almond  grows. 

Those  barren  hills  again  shall  cedars  crown, 
The  land  for  thee  shall  blossom  as  the  rose. 

Return  to  thy  rest,  at  last  return; 

Cry    to    the    South    "Give    back!     Give   back    O 
North!" 

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NATIONAL 

Those  mountains  summon  and  those  valle5^s  cry, 
By  twos  and  threes,  by  tens,  in  troops  go  forth 

Though  yet  afar  the  Peace  of  Zion  waits, 

Perchance  through  flames  and   blood  thy  pathway 
lies, 

Fear  not — Be  strong — Thy  heritage  regain 

O  Judah,  tarry  not!     Israel  arise.         M.  B.  S. 

Zionism 

\  AM  come  with  the  dawn  on  the  swift  wings  of  light, 

Through  the  gloom  of  long  ages  of  strife, 
And  will  bear  you  away  from  these  regions  of  night 

Far  from  the  dull-plodding  toil  to  new  life. 
Yet  I  come  not  in  rage  and  my  nets  are  not  spread 

Nor  come  I  to  inspire  you  to  wrath. 
But  I  come  with  the  dawn — and  by  it  you'll  be  led 

From  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

Lo!  I  find  you  in  bondage,  in  hunger,  and  sorrow, 

Bending  low  'neath  the  chains  of  the  slave; 
But  with  life  in  its  wake  will  I  bring  you  the  morrow — 

To  a  life  yond  the  gloom  of  this  grave ! 
And  filled  with  the  spirit  of  joy  I  shall  lead  you 

To  the  land  where  you'll  breathe  freedom's  breath ; 
From  the  scorn  of  your  brothers  to  joy  I  will  speed  you 

From  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death! 

SAMUEL  ROTH. 

Wandering 

LITTLE  man  of  sorrows,  whither  would  you  wan- 
der? 
Whither  from  this  sunny  isle  with  step  so  firm  and 

bold? 

"I  am  going  to  the  City  to  hear  the  Word  of  God, 
My  glory  is  to  tread  the  soil  on  which  my  Fathers 

trod; 
I  am  going  to  the  City  to  hear  the  Word  of  God." 

473 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Little  man  of  sorrows,  whither  would  you  wander? 
Is  thy  quest  a  fairer  heaven  or  a  flower  of  brighter 

hue? 

"I  am  going  to  the  City  wherein  my  people  strive, 
To  share  their  wounds  and  slay  their  foes,  encourage 

and  revive; 
I  am  going  to  the  City  wherein  my  people  strive." 

Little  man  of  sorrows,  whither  would  you  wander, 
When  the  Sun   is  in   thy  zenith  here,   and   Hope  so 

golden  too? 

"I  am  going  to  the  City  to  share  my  People's  pain, 
To  prove  with  deeds  of  daring  that  their  struggle  is 

not  vain ; 
I  am  going  to  the  City  to  share  my  People's  pain." 

Little  man  of  sorrows,  whither  would  you  wander? 
Whither  from  this  sunny  isle  with  step  so  firm  and 

bold  ? 
"I  am  going  to  the  country  where  my  Fathers  ruled 

of  old, 
My  quest  is  not  a  fairer  sky,  nor  a  sun  of  white  and 

gold  ; 

I  am  going  to  the  country  where  my  Fathers  ruled  of 
old." 

SAMUEL  ROTH. 


The  Promised  Land 

C\   LITTLE  Land  of  lapping  seas, 
^  Of  vineyards,  vales  and  hills; 

Of  tender  rains  and  rainbow  plains, 

Of  deserts  and  of  rills; 
O  little  Land  of  mounting  crags, 

Of  lonely  height  and  deep; 
A  world  away  thy  children  stray 

And  long  and  wait  and  weep. 

474 


NATIONAL 

REFRAIN 

From  Egypt's  flesh-pots,  Lord  of  wrath, 

With  mighty  outstretched  hand, 
Through  seas  and  mountains  cleave  our  path; 

Oh!  Lord,  redeem  our  land! 

I  know  the  golden  oranges 

Englobed  beneath  the  moon, 
The  sky  that  spills  'twixt  seas  and  hills 

Its  shining  draught  of  noon; 
The  vines  that  bind  our  holy  hills 

With  grapes  like  jewels  set; 
The  silver  green  of  olive  sheen 

Oh,  can  my  soul  forget? 

O  little  Land  of  holy  men 

Of  fearless  dream  and  deed; 
From  clime  to  clime  the  storms  of  time 

Have  strewn  thy  hardy  seed, 
And  fearless  still  and  holy  still, 

We  sang  through  hate  and  shame; 
With  faith  we  fought,  with  deed  and  thought 

And  God's  enduring  name. 

My  heart  is  singing  like  a  bird 

Of  home  that  still  may  be, 
And  joys  I  dared  to  leave,  and  spared, 

Hold  out  their  arms  to  me. 
We  cannot  sleep  in  cushioned  ease 

Nor  yield  to  martial  will, 
But  we  must  hear  God's  trumpet  clear 

Sound  peace  upon  His  Hill. 

JESSIE  E.  SAMPTER. 


475 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 
Jerusalem 

T 

1 

PHE  ancient  of  cities! — the  lady  of  nations! 
•"•   The  home  where  the  cherubims  hovered  in  light! 
Where  the  breeze  has  a  voice  like  those  old  "lamenta- 
tions" 

That  saddened  thy  day  with  their  omens  of  night, 
And  the  river's  low  song  seems  to  echo  the  strain 
Which  the  prophet  poured'  out  to  thy  spirit — in  vain ! 

jj 

Bright  land  of  the  promise '.—whose  vision  of  glory 
Had  dazzled  thy  sense,  till  't  was  feeble  to  see! 

O,  chosen  for  others  to  keep  the  high  story 

Whose  record  was  vain  for  thy  children  and  thee! 

Lone  Esau  of  nations,  that  weepest  alway, 

While  the  gentile  is  rich  in  thy  birthright  today! 

Ill 
Lost  land  of  the  minstrel ! — whose  harp,  in  its  sadness, 

Brought  music  from  heaven,  to  play  to  thy  heart, — 
Whose  spell  of  a  moment  came  down  on  thy  madness, 

And  bade,  for  an  hour,  thy  dark  angel  depart, — 
Till  the  power  of  its  warning  expired  with  its  strain, 
And  the  spirit  of  evil  came  o'er  thee  again! 


IV 

And  O,  for  the  outcast  who  drank  of  thy  glory, — 
The  lost  one  of  Judah, — the  chosen  of  yore, — 

The  priest  of  thy  temple, — the  heir  of  thy  story, — 
Who  dwelt  in  thy  vineyards,  that  blossom  no  more ! 

Afar,  'mid  the  heathen,  he  sitteth  forlorn,— 

And  thy  fruit  is  the  bramble,  thy  greenness  the  thorn ! 

V 

It  was  not  for  Edom  that  Zion  was  braided 

With  crowns  of  the  sunshine  and  garlands  of  bloom, 
Where  the  wild  Arab  wanders  the  cedar  hath  faded, 

476 


NATIONAL 

The  bird  of  the  wild  keepeth  watch  on  the  tomb ; — 
And  the  soil  of  the  simoon  awaits  the  far  day, 
When  the  rain  shall  return  to  the  wilderness  gray. 

VI 

Pale  daughter  of  Zion ! — all  wasted  with  weeping, 
Thy  footstool  the  desert, — its  dust  on  thy  head ; 

Thy  long  weary  watch  o'er  the  wilderness  keeping, 
And  sitting  in  darkness,  like  them  that  be  dead; — • 

A  veil  like  the  widow's  hath  shadowed  thy  pride, 

And  a  sorrow  is  thine  like  no  sorrow  beside ! 

VII 
And  sadly  thy  son  by  each  far-foreign  river 

Sits,  as  he  sat  in  the  Babel  of  old, — 
Lone  'mid  the  nations, — all  homeless  forever, 

'Mid   homes   full  of  children, — and  poor   'mid   his 

gold ;— - 

With  a  mark  on  his  brow  of  the  brand  in  his  brain, 
Like  the  record  God  wrote  on  the  forehead  of  Cain! 

VIII 

Weary  with  wandering  and  wasted  with  sadness, 
And  walking  by  lights  that  are  all  from  the  past, — 

Wishes,  scarce  hopes,  waken  smiles  without  gladness, 
As  backward  his  thoughts,  like  the  mourner's,  are 
cast ; 

For  the  tale  of  the  Hebrew  who  wanders  alway 

Is  the  fable  and  type  of  his  people  today! 

TV 

LA. 

A  proverb  to  most,  and  a  moral  to  all, 

And  a  lamp  unto  others,  though  sitting  in  gloom,— 
He  seems  like  a  mute  in  a  festival  hall, 

And  is  still  looking  forward   for  that  which  hath 

come ; — 

Like  the  children  of  Eblis,  he  hideth  his  smart, 
And  walks  through  the  world  with  his  hand  on  his 
heart ! 

477 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

X 

All  lands  are  as   Moab — all  countries  are  Edom, 
To  the  Hebrew,  who  sits  in  his  sackcloth  of  sin, — 

Till  the  trumpets  of  God  calling  others  to  freedom, 
The  Jews  to  that  banner  at  length  shall  come  in ; — 

And  Salem  must  sit  in  her  desert  alone, 

Till  the  seed  of  the  Lord  by  all  rivers  be  sown. 

XI 

Then,  daughter  of  Judah!  look  up  from  thy  slumber! 

And  lo!  a  bright  vision  of  turrets  and  spires! 
A  hymn  o'er  the  desert,  from  harps  without  number! 

Thy  children  at  rest  by  the  shrine  of  their  sires! 
The  song-bird  on  Carmel, — the  rose  in  the  plain,— 
And  the  streams  flowing  backward  to  Zion  again! 

JOHN  KEBBLE  HERVEY. 

The  Wailing  Place  In  Jerusalem 

\Y7ITH  heads  bowed  down,  they  stand  with  stream- 
ing eyes, 

Before  the  ruined  wall,  whose  grimy  stones 
Are  crumbling  with  the  weight  of  centuries, 

And  read  their  Mincha-prayer  in  mournful  tones 

That  spring  from  hearts  that  grieve  for  Judah's  fate, 
For  Jacob's  seed  whose  loving  memories  dwell 

On  splendors  past,  and,  kneeling,  supplicate 
That  mercy  may  be  shown  to  Israel. 

Their  garb  proclaims  them  men  of  many  lands. 

Those  dwell  amid  the  northern  snows,  and  these 
Have  wandered  far  from  Yemen's  burning  sands, 

Or  sought  their  way  across  the  western  seas. 

. 

Not  here  alone  do  wailing  figures  stand! 

Not  here  alone  do  tears  of  sorrow  flow! 
In  every  clime  they  beat,  with  clenched  hand, 

Against  the  stones  of  Israel's  wall  of  woe. 

478 


NATIONAL 

In  every  land  there  rises,  stern  and  great, 

This  self-same  wail  of  torment  and  of  fears, 

Its  courses  laid  with  stones  of  scorn  and  hate, 
And  bonded  with  cement  of  blood  and  tears. 

But  Judah  should  behold  that  brighter  day, 

For  which  these  kneeling  pilgrims  humbly  plead, 

And  like  a  star,  on  Zion's  bosom  lay 
Her  beautiful  and  shining  golden  head. 

Her  tattered  robes  shall  turn  to  silken  sheen, 
Her  shackles  shall  give  way  to  golden  chains, 

As  from  her  temple-heights  she  views,  serene, 
The  flowers  of  peace  that  bloom  in  her  domains. 

Where  Hermon's  snows  shine  down  on  Lebanon, 
Where  Judah  breaks  the  Dead  Sea's  sullen  peace, 

Where  rise  the  ruined  towers  of  Ascalon, 
Or  Carmel's  vines  look  on  the  midland  seas. 

Louis  FEDERLEICHT. 


Lament  of  the  Daughters  of  Zion 

A  WAY  from  our  land, 
^"^       Away  from  our  home, 
A  sad  captive  band, 

'Mong  strangers  we  roam. 

Away  from  our  hills, 

We  are  sundered  apart, 
And  the  clear  crystal  rills 

Enshrined  in  our  heart. 

And  Lebanon's  palm  trees 

'Neath  the  purple  domed  skies, 

And  the  sweet  scented  breeze 
That  wafted  our  sighs ! 

479 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Away  from  the  dew 

On  the  hill  terraced  lines, 
Where  the  pale  olive  grew 

And  the  purple  clad  vines. 

For  past  is  that  grandeur, 

The  glory  and  fame  ; 
And  faded  the  splendour 

Of  Judah's  great  name. 

Dark  was  the  hour, 

And  fierce  was  the  blow, 
That  shattered  our  power 

In  a  whirlwind  of  woe. 

The  days  that  are  born 

In  sorrow,  we  pine; 
In  sadness  we  mourn, 

For  Salem's  fair  shrine. 

But  the  Lord  will  again 

Gather  us  round  ; 
And  Judah  will  reign 

With  vict'ry  crowned. 

On  the  wings  of  the  breeze,     /   A 

O'er  mountain  and  mead, 
Far  o'er  the  seas 

The  tidings  will  speed. 

And   from  the  ends  of  the  world 

The  lowly  and  proud, 
With  their  banners  unfurled, 

The  nations  will  crowd. 

In  Glory  revealed 

This  song  they'll  raise; 
The  Lord  is  our  shield, 

The  Lord  is  our  Praise.  J.  F. 

480 


NATIONAL 

Longing  for  Jerusalem 

CITY  of  the  world,  with  sacred  splendor  blest, 
My  spirit   yearns  to   thee   from   out   the   far-off 

West, 

A  stream  of  love  wells  forth  when  I  recall  thy  day, 
Now  is  thy  temple  waste,  thy  glory  passed  away. 
Had  I  an  eagle's  wings,  straight  would  I  fly  to  thee, 
Moisten  thy  holy  dust  with  wet  cheeks  streaming  free. 
Oh,  how  I  long  for  thee!  albeit  thy  King  has  gone, 
Albeit  where   balm   once   flowed,   the  serpent   dwells 

alone. 

Could  I  but  kiss  thy  dust,  so  would  I  fain  expire, 
As  sweet  as  honey  then,  my  passion,  my  desire! 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI. 
(Translated  by  Emma  Lazarus.) 


Awakening 

"VY/HERE  wait  the  soldiers  of  the  Lord 

That  smote  in  olden  days? 
Where  stands  in  song  his  shining  horde 

That  chant  and  shout  his  praise? 
They  long  are  laid  with  flame  and  sword, 

Their  corpses  strew  the  ways. 

A  hundred  gods  of  brass  and  gold 

Sit  high  with  icy  hands, 
And  those  that  praised  his  name  of  old 

Lie  slain  in  many  lands ! 
Their  bones  arise  and  join:  Behold, 

The  host  of  Israel  stands! 

Does  Israel's  heart  such  silence  keep, 

It  seems  a  stony  crust, 
And  covered  with  the  dust? 

No,  'tis  a  dragon  fast  asleep, 
An  ancient  sword  to  flash  and  leap 

From  scabbard's  rust!        JESSIE  E.  SAMPTER. 

481 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Daughter  of  Zlon 

[DAUGHTER  of  Zion !     Awake  from  thy  sadness : 
<L-^        Awake,  for  thy  foes  shall  oppress  thee  no  more ; 
Bright  o'er  thy  hills  dawns  the  day-star  of  gladness, 

Arise!  for  the  night  of  thy  sorrow  is  o'er. 
Strong  were  thy  foes,  but  the  arm  that  subdued  them 

And  scattered  their  legions  was  mightier  far. 
They  fled,  like  the  chaff  from  the  scourge  that  pur- 
sued them; 

For  vain  were  their  steed  and  their  chariots  of  war ! 

Daughter  of  Zion  that  Power  that  hath  saved  thee, 
Extolled  with  the  harp  and  the  timbrel  should  be; 
Shout!  for  the  foe  is  destroyed  that  enslaved  thee. 
The  oppressor  is  vanquished  and  Zion  is  free ! 

ANONYMOUS. 


But  Who  Shall  See? 

DUT  who  shall  see  the  glorious  day 
*~^  When,  throned  on  Zion's  brow, 
The  Lord  shall  rend  that  veil  away 

Which  hides  the  nations  now? 
When  earth  no  more  beneath  the  fear 

Of  His  rebuke  shall  lie; 
When  pain  shall  cease,  and  every  tear 

Be  wiped  from  every  eye. 

Then,  Judah,  thou  no  more  shalt  mourn 

Beneath  the  heathen's  chain ; 
Thy  days  of  splendour  shall  return, 

And  all  be  new  again. 
The  Fount  of  Life  shall  then  be  quaffed 

In  peace  by  all  who  come ! 
And  every  wind  that  blows  shall  waft 

Some  long-lost  exile  home ! 

THOMAS  MOORE. 

482 


NATIONAL 

The  Latter  Day 

I— I  AIL,  to  the  brightness  of  Zion's  glad  morn- 
**          ing: 

Joy  to  the  lands  that  in  darkness  have  lain ; 
Hushed  to  the  accents  of  sorrow  and  mourning; 

Zion  in  triumph  begins,  her  mild  reign ! 

Hail  to  the  brightness  of  Zion's  glad  morning, 
Long  by  the  prophets  of  Israel  foretold ; 

Hail  to  the  millions  from  bondage  returning; 
Gentiles  and  Jews  the  blest  vision  behold ! 

Lo,  in  the  desert  rich  flowers  are  springing; 

Streams  ever  copious  are  gliding  along! 
Loud  from  the  mountain-tops  echoes  are  ringing; 

Wastes  rise  in  verdure,  and  mingle  in  song. 

See,  from  all  lands,  from  the  isles  of  the  ocean, 
Praise  to  Jehovah  ascending  on  high ; 

Fallen  are  the  engines  of  war  and  commotion; 
Shouts  of  salvation  are  rending  the  sky! 

THOMAS  HASTINGS. 

"And  Zion  Be  the  Glory  Yet" 

TRIBE  of  ancestry,  be  dumb,  thy  parchment  roll 

review ! 
What  is  thy  line  of  ancestors  to  that  which  boasts  the 

Jew? 
The  ancient  Briton,  where  is  he  ?     The  Saxons,  who 

are   they? 

The  Roman  is  a  fleeting  shade — a  thing  of  yesterday. 
But  he  may  boldly  lift  his  eyes  and  spread  his  hands 

abroad, 
And  say,  "Four  thousand  years  ago  my  sires  on  Canaan 

stood." 

483 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O,  who  shall  dare  despise  the  Jew,  whom  God  hath 

not  despised, 
Nor  yet  forsaken  in  His  wrath,  though  long  and  sore 

chastised  ? 
From  many  a  distant  land  the  Lord  shall  bring  His 

people  forth, 
And  Zion  be  the  glory  yet  and  wonder  of  the  earth. 

ANONYMOUS. 


The  Harp  of  Zion 

TTHE  harp  of  Zion  sleepeth 

In   the  shadow  of  the  hill; 
The  child  of  promise  weepeth 

His  weary  exile  still; 
The  ages  of  his  sorrow 

Flow  on  like  Jordan's  stream; 
He  looketh  for  the  morrow, 

But  cannot  see  its  beam. 

No  beam  of  heaven  discloseth 

His  father's  land  of  birth; 
His  footstep  ne'er  reposeth 

In  the  nations  of  the  earth; 
To  them  he  blindly  holdeth 

The  lamp  he  cannot  see; 
While  darkness  deep  enfoldeth 

The  homes  of  Galilee! 

. 
Yet  not,  O  God,  for  ever 

Thou'lt  judge  him  in  thy  wrath; 
But  bid  the  darkness  sever 

Above  his  destined  path; 
In  thy  dread  book  is  written 

The  period  of  his  doom; 
And  the  vale  thy  curse  has  smitten, 

As  a  garden  yet  shall  bloom. 

484 


NATIONAL 


Even  now  the  destined  ages 

Are  closing  o'er  the  land; 
And  every  sign  presages 

The  morn  again  at  hand ; 
The  darkness  swiftly  weareth, 

Light  trembles  from  the  shore  ; 
Each  wind  of  heaven  prepareth 

The  wanderer  to  restore! 

JAMES  WILLIS. 


The  Restoration  of  Israel 

DAUGHTER  of  Zion,  from  the  dust, 
^       Exalt  thy  fallen  head; 
Again  in  thy  Redeemer  trust, 
He  calls  thee  from  the  dead. 

Awake,  awake,  put  on  thy  strength, 

Thy  beautiful  array; 
The  day  of  freedom  dawns  at  length, 

The  Lord's  appointed  day. 

Rebuild  thy  walls,  thy  bounds  enlarge 

And  send  thy  heralds  forth; 
Say  to  the  South, — "Give  up  thy  charge, 

And  keep  not  back,  O  North!" 

They  come,  they  come; — thine  exiled  bands, 

Where'er  they  rest  or  roam, 
Have  heard  thy  voice  in  distant  lands, 

And  hasten  to  their  home. 

Thus,  though  the  universe  shall  burn, 

And  God  his  works  destroy, 
With  songs  the  ransomed  shall  return, 

And  everlasting  joy. 

JAMES   MONTGOMERY. 

485 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Israel's  God 

"MO  longer  the  children  of  Zion  need  weep; 

*  ^    From  Judea's  fair  mountains,  from  over  the  deep, 

From  hill  top  and  valley  the  paeans  are  sung 

In  every  known  language,  our  own  holy  tongue; 

Our  cause  is  triumphant,  our  freedom  is  won, 

"The  God  of  our  People,  Our  Lord,  He  is  One." 

United  the  sound  of  Israel's  great  host, 
Descendants  of  Judah  now  their  proud  boast  ; 
Ascending  each  hour  in  psalm  and  in  praise, 
Their  voices  together  in  harmony  raise. 
The  cry  of  our  faith  from  out  the  dim  past, 
From  ages  unknown,  till  mortal  shall  last, 
From  birth,  until  Death  says  our  course  has  been  run, 
We  continue  to  sing  "Our  God  He  is  One." 

Oh!  land  of  our  fathers,  in  God's  chosen  time, 
May  we  speedily  pray  at  thy  sacred  shrine, 
And  upward  to  Heav'n,  as  on  wings  of  a  dove, 
Our  reliance  on  Thee,  Thy  care,  and  Thy  love, 
To  gather  Thy  children,  as  sheep  in  a  fold, 
To  worship  together  in  praise,  as  of  old ; 
"Hear,  O  Israel,"  we'll  sing  then,  as  one  mighty  word. 
"He  is  One,  is  our  God;  He  is  One,  is  our  Lord." 

LAWRENCE  COHEN. 


He  Watcheth  Over  Israel 

""THOUGH  our  harps  hang  on  the  willows, 

Near  to  Babylon's  turgid  stream; 
Though  our  ancient  glory  mock  us, 

Like  a  half-remembered  dream; 
Still  His  word  runs  with  the  ages — 

Still  His  Covenant  He  keeps — 
Yea,  He  watcheth  over  Israel 

And  He  slumbers  not,  nor  sleeps. 

486 


NATIONAL 

Though  we  dwell  in  alien  countries, 

Bound  by,  yet  without,   their  law; 
Though  they  spoil  us,  in  their  despite 

Of  the  source  from  whence  we  draw 
That  which  ever  cleaves  us  from  them; 

He  will  heed  when  Jacob  weeps — 
Yea,  he  watcheth  over  Israel 

And  He  slumbers  not,  nor  sleeps. 

Though  our  sword  arm  be  sore  stricken, 
Although  mute  be  David's  lyre; 

Though  our  lips  be  locked  and  silent — 
Lips  once  touched  by  living  fire — 

Still,   the  Temple  Lamps  are  burning 
In  His  own  mysterious  deeps — 

Yea,  he  watcheth  over  Israel 
And  He  slumbers  not,  nor  sleeps. 


Yea,  His  word  is  constant,  constant, 

As  the  singing  of  the  sea; 
And  the  High  Priest  of  the  nations 

Yet  shall  stand  unshackled,  free! 
And  the  First-born  of  the  Promise 

Sow  no  more  where  despite  reaps — 
Yea,  He  watcheth  over  Israel 

And  He  slumbers  not,  nor  sleeps. 

SOLOMON  L.  LONG. 

trri  •  ,  j  -j-, 

Tis  to  the  East 

'""PIS  to  the  East  the  Hebrew  bends 
When  morn  unveils  its  brow; 
And  while  the  dawning  light  ascends 

The  East  receives  his  vow. 
And  Hope  still  wings  his  thoughts  afar, 

It  tells  to  those  that  roam, 
That  He  who  rode  the  cloudy  car 
Will  guide  His  people  home. 

ANONYMOUS. 

487 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

• 
Ee-Chovoud 

LJOW  long,  O  Lord!  how  long, 

*  *       Lonely  and  sad  'mid  the  world's  great  throng, 

Shall  we  of  the  waters  of  bitterness  drink? 

Our  cup  is  filled  with  gall  to  the  brink; 

Our  shoulders  are  bent  and  our  foreheads  bowed, 

Ine  covoud  lonoo,  ee-chovoud. 

Ee-chovoud,  Lord,  ee-chovoud! 
Thy  beautiful  world  is  to  us  as  a  shroud ; 
For  our  feet  no  earth,  for  our  breath  no  air, 
Wrong  and  contumely  our  daily  fare, 
Thou  Raiser  of  lowly,  Righter  of  wrong, 
How  long,  O  Lord,  oh!  how  long? 

How  long?    Lord,  how  long 

Shall  the  weak  lie  under  the  wheel  of  the  strong? 

God  of  justice,,  and  love  and  grace 

Find  for  Thy  homeless  a  resting-place. 

Black  waters  surround  us,  our  sky  is  in  cloud, 

Ine  covoud  lonoo,  ee-chovoud. 

od 

Ee-chovoud,  Father,  ee-chovoud! 

In  that  word  all  our  wrongs  and  our  sufferings  crowd, 
Thou  hast  promised  the  clouds  shall  rend  and  lift, 
Make,  God  of  the  mighty  and  helpless,  a  rift! 
Keep  our  souls  from  fainting,  our  faith  hold  strong, 
For  'tis  long,  O  Father;  oh,  how  long! 

S.  R.  HIRSCH. 


The  Dawn  of  Hope 

>ii.A. 

GEE  how  the  people  of  Israel  come  trooping, 
*^       Waving  like  victors  their  banners  on  high  ; 
Joy  has  uplifted  the  hearts  that  were  drooping, 
Promise  enkindled  the  light  in  the  eye. 

488 


NATIONAL 

Waking  at  length  from  the  slumbers  of  ages, 

Eager  they  turn  to  welcome  the  light, 
Making  the  dreams  of  their  poets  and  sages 

Gloriously  true   with   their  zeal   and   their  might. 

Straight  grow  the  backs  that  with  stooping  were  dou- 
bled, 

Noble  and  straight  as  the  cedar  and  pine  ; 
Cleared  are  the  brows  which  affliction  sore  troubled, 

Glad  as  the  viners,  who  taste  the  new  wine. 

Hope  has  welled  up  in  their  hearts  like  a  fountain, 
Bursting  with  power  its  way  to  the  sun; 

Freedom  has  come  like  bright  dawn  on  the  mountain, 
Flushed  with  the  glow  of  its  triumphs  begun. 

David,  behold,  to  thy  stronghold  on  Zion, 

Speed  they  like  runners  who  make  for  their  goal, 

Bearing  the  flag  of  the  Judean  lion, 
Bearing  a  spirit  as  bold  in  the  soul. 

As  to  thy  temple,  O  Israel,  returning, 

Leave  they  the  shores  which  as  aliens  they  trod, 

Ecstasy  thrills  them,  all  eager,  all  burning, 

Filled  with  the  love  of  their  land  and  their  God. 

. 
Give  to  thy  people  the  shield  of  salvation, 

Favor,  O  Lord,  thy  anointed  of  old; 
Bring  them  together  once  more  as  a  nation, 
Gather  again  in  thy  sheltering  fold. 

C.  PESSELS. 

The  Jews  Weeping  in  Jerusalem 

\Y7HY,   trembling  and  sad,   dost  thou  stand   there 
**        and  mourn, 

Son  of  Israel,  the  days  that  can  never  return? 
And  why  do  those  tear-drops  of  misery  fall 
On  the  mouldering  ruin,  the  perishing  wall? 

489 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Was  yon  city>  in  robes  of  the  heathen  now  clad, 
Once  the  flourishing  Zion,  where  Judah  was  glad? 
And  those  walls,  that  disjointed  and  scattered  now  lie, 
Were  they  once  vowed  to  Heaven  and  hallowed  on 
high? 

Yet  why  dost  thou  mourn?  Oh,  to  gladness  awaken! 
Though  Jehovah  this  city  of  God  has  forsaken, 
He  preserves  for  His  people  a  city  more  fair, 
Which  a  ruthless  invader  no  longer  shall  share. 

No  longer  the  tear  for  your  city  shall  flow; 
No  longer  thy  bosom  the  sad  sigh  bestow; 
But  night  shall  be  followed  by  glorious  day, 
And  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  vanish  away. 

JAMES  WALLIS  EASTBURN. 

Dying  In  Jerusalem 

JERUSALEM !     Jerusalem ! 
J      Thou  city  of  the  blest, 
I  come,  beneath  thy  hallowed  soil 
To  lay  my  bones  to  rest. 

It  is  not  mine  to  see  thee  rise 

In  glory  from  the  dust; 
But  God,  the  God  of  Abraham, 

Is  kind  as  well  as  just. 
And,   happy  but  to  die  in  thee, 

I  hail  the  sacred  ground 
Where  rest  from  all  their  wanderings 

The  sons  of  Jacob  found. 

:    cvA'T 
Jerusalem !     Jerusalem ! 

Thy  towers  shall  rise  again 
When  comes  the  Lord's  anointed  One 

In  majesty  to  reign. 
My  sun  will  shortly  set,  but  thou 

In  glory  shall  appear; 

490 


NATIONAL 

Thy  King,  The  God  of  all  the  earth; 

Thy  name,  "The  Lord  is  here." 
And  Gentiles  who  have  spurned   thee  long 

Shall  make  the  glory  known; 
While  all  conspire  to  honor  thee, 

My   father's  land!   my  own! 

THOMAS  RAGG. 


When  I  Think  of  Thee,  O  Zion 

WHEN  I  think  of  thee,  O  Zion, 

Glory  of  the  Holy  Land, 
Recollecting  thee  as  city, 

Chartered  by  Jehovah's  hand  ; 
Thy  gates  of  pearl,  thy  walls  of  gold, 
By  sage  and  prophet  long  foretold, 
I  do  wonder — I  know  not  why 
How  earnest  thou  so  low  to  lie? 

When  I  think  of  thee,  O  Zion, 

Of  thy  renown,  of  thy  great  fame; 
When  my  lips  the  word  doth  whisper 

Mentioning  thy  Holy  Name, 
Name  pronounced  by  many  a  tongue 
In  reverent  accents  often  sung; 
Name  so  cherished,  tell  me  why 
Recalling  thee,  my  heart  doth  sigh. 

"What  if  strangers  do  me  honor, 
Carry  my  banner  and  call  me  free; 

What  if  Gentiles  'Allelujah,' 

'Amen'  shout  and  swear  by  me? 

When  those  children  I  call  mine 

List  not,  and  'bide  across  the  line? 

This  the  reason  I  bitterly  cry." 

Thus  sadly  Zion  doth  reply. 

491 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Can  a  mother  forget  her  own, 

Her  only  son,  her  bosom  child? 
Will  other  children  satisfy 

The  craving  for  the  first  that  smiled? 
Will  ever  multitude  replace 
The  laugh  that  lit  the  cradled  face? 
Never,  never  will  Zion  rest 
Until  her  own  are  in  her  nest." 

JOHN  D.  NUSSBAUM. 

Redemption 

A  WAKE,  oh  Israel!  and  hear 
^™          That  thy  Redemption  draweth  near; 
Arise  ye  mourners!    God  hath  sent 
Fulfilment  of  His  covenant! 

It  cometh  not  by  war's  decrees 
And  blood  of  martyrs  broad  as  seas ; 
The  deeper  purposes  of  God 
We  learn  in   kindness,   not  by  rod. 

Within  yourself,   O   Israel! 
Deliverance  cometh— heed  this  wail ! 
Then  cease  thy  groans ;  Be  men  !     Be  men ! 
And  God  will  send  Redemption  then. 

What  slave  was  freed,  who  loved  his  yoke  ? 
Thou  canst  not  rise  with  spirits  broke. 
God's  beloved  art  thou  still, 
O  Israel,  obey  his  will. 

And  even  now  His  chosen  seed 
Shall  reap  those  blessings  long  decreed. 
Be  worthy  then — your  God  shall  see 
And  His  Redemption  send  to  thee. 

Honor  the  God  thy  fathers  loved 

And  love  the  God  thy  fathers  praised ; 

Then  Israel,  thou'lt  rise  again 

A  people  honored  by  all  men.    ANONYMOUS. 

492 


NATIONAL 


Good  Tidings  to  Zion 
(Isa.  lii.  7) 

N  the  mountain's  top  appearing, 

Lo,  the  sacred  herald  stands, 
Welcome  news  to  Zion  bearing, 

Zion  long  in  hostile  lands: 
Mourning  captive, 

God  himself  will  loose  thy  bands. 

. 

Has  thy  night  been  long  and  mournful? 
Have  thy  friends  unfaithful  proved? 
Have  thy  foes  been  proud  and  scornful, 


By  thy  sighs  and  tears  unmoved? 
Cease  thy  mourning; 

Zion  still  is  well  beloved. 

God,  thy  God,  will  now  restore  thee; 

He  himself  appears  thy  Friend ; 
All  thy  foes  shall  flee  before  thee; 

Here  their  boasts  and  triumphs  end: 
Great  deliverance 

Zion's  King  vouchsafes  to  send. 

•  nl 

Enemies  no  more  shall  trouble; 

All  thy  wrongs  shall  be  redressed; 
For  thy  shame  thou  shalt  have  double, 


In  thy  Maker's  favor  blest 

A1 


i  \ 
All  thy  conflicts 


End  in  everlasting  rest. 

THOMAS  KELLY. 


A  Cry  for  Zion 

"DEHOLD,  as  I  sit  here,  alone  and  forlorn, 

Very  often  I  wish  I  had  never  been  born, 
For  of  all  of  my  travail,  my  sorrow  and  pain, 
Oh,  can  ye,  O  nations,  discover  my  gain  ? 

493 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ye  tread  on  my  beard  and  ye  spit  in  my  face, 
And  ye  clothe  me  in  chains  and  the  badge  of  disgrace. 
And  ye  come  and  advise  me  to  lose  myself  quite, 
And  assimilate  with  the  dark  shadows  of  night. 
As  well  to  exhort  the  Gulf  Stream  to  be  mixed 
With  the  cold,  icy  ocean  wherein  it  is  fixed ; 
Or  advise  in  the  heavens  the  great  Milky  Way 
To  be  lost  in  the  stars  that  most  everywhere  lay. 

"Oh,  no!     If  true  justice  still  lingers  on  earth 

You  will  give  me  the  home  that  was  mine  from  my 

birth. 

Return  me  the  land  where  I  battled  and  fought, 
The  land  every  inch  of  which  dearly  I  bought, 
Very  dearly  I  bought  with  the  blood  of  my  veins, 
Where    I    struggled    for    freedom    and    shatter'd    my 

chains  ; 

Where  I  strove  with  and  conquer'd  wild  races  of  men, 
Gog-Magog,  the  giants,  I  drove  from  their  den ; 
Where  I  worshipped  my  God  and  expounded  His  law, 
And   where  first  the   great  light  of   His  Wisdom   I 

saw. 

"In  that  land  were  my  fathers  for  ages  interred, 
And  the  prophets  and  sages  who  lived  by  the  Word, 
There  the  graves  of  my  martyrs  abound  on  the  plains, 
And   the    roads   are   yet   strewn   with    my   children's 

remains ! 

Every  stone  in  that  land  is  a  tear  from  my  eye, 
In  its  mountains  still  lingers  the  breath  of  my  sigh. 
In  its  forests  my  wailing  can  yet  be  discerned, — 
Lives  a  soul  who  would   say  thus:   'I   am   not  con- 
cerned ?' 

Then  return  me  my  country!    If  justice  yet  dwell 
Here  on  earth,  O  return  me,  return  my  Beth-el!" 

L.  SMIRNOW. 


494 


NATIONAL 
A  Song  of  Zion 

(Dedicated  to  the  Zionist  Society   of  Montreal) 

VY7E  are  coming,  coming,  coming.     Fling  our  banner 

to  the  breeze. 
In   thousands  we  are  coming  from   beyond   remotest 

seas. 

We  are  coming  after  centuries  of  sorrow  and  of  toil, 
To  make  our  home  in  Palestine  and  tread  its  holy  soil. 

O,  let  the  song  of  gladness  rise;  let  all   the  nations 

hear 

The  anthem  of  a  mighty  host  of  Zion  drawing  near, 
Across  the  mountains,  through  the  vales,  and  o'er  the 

ocean's  foam, 
Behold  the  hosts  of  Israel  are  coming,  coming  home! 

'Twas  said  of  old  by  one  whose  lips  were  touched  by 
Heaven's  fire, 

That  God's  own  house  would  be  built  up,  than  hills 
and  mountains  higher;. 

That  from  its  portals  would  go  forth  to  all  the  world 
the  word, 

That  may  we  learn  His  ways,  and  walk  in  truth  be- 
fore the  Lord; 


That  Sword  and  Spear  would  broken  be,  and  turned 

to  arts  of  peace ; 

That  all  the  panoply  of  war  and  strife  forever  cease; 
That  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation,  as 

of  yore, 
But  listen  to  the  voice  of  God  and  learn  of  war  no 

more. 

O,    Children    of    the    Covenant,    perhaps    the    day    is 

near, — 
E'en  now,  if  you  will  listen,  you  may  hear  the  accents 

clear 

495 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Of  One  who  calls  the  scattered  brood — come  to  Me! 

children,  Come! 
My  hills  are  vacant.     Here  I  am.     I  bid  you  welcome 

home! 

Then  answer — we  are  coming!     Fling  our  banner  to 

the  breeze! 
In   thousands   we    are   coming   from   beyond   remotest 

seas. 

We  are  coming  after  centuries  of  sorrow  and  of  toil 
To  make  our   home  in   Palestine  and   tread   its  holy 

soil. 

O,  let  the  songs  of  gladness  rise,  let  all  the  nations 

hear 

The  anthem  of  the  mighty  host  of  Israel  drawing  near ; 
Across  the  mountains,  through  the  vales,  and  o'er  the 

ocean's  foam, 

Behold  the  hosts  of  Israel  are  coming,  coming  home! 

CARROLL  RYAN. 

Zionism 

Q   Star  of  Hope!     O  Blessed  Star! 
^^          That  riseth  in  the  East  afar, 
Thou  shed'st  a  wondrous,  holy  light, 
A  pillar  of  fire  art  thou  by  night. 

Shine  forth,  thou  great  and  lovely  Star! 
That  riseth  in  the  East  afar, 
A  beacon-light  of  faith  and  cheer, 
Be  thou  to  Israel  far  and  near. 

MIRIAM  BLAUSTEIN. 

Zionism 

""THE  story  that  Herzl  told  was  true — 

Too  bitter  true  for  tears  ; 
The  blood-marked  trail  of  the  homeless  Jew 
Winds  back  two  thousand  years. 

496 


NATIONAL 

Walled  out  by  hate  from  the  Gentile's  .heart, 

And  lashed  by  senseless  lies, 
The  Jew  has  walked  in  the  nigh-apart, 

And  shunned  his  brother's  eyes. 

But  now — at  last — he  stands  erect, 

Nor  fears  to  be  alone; 
No  Czar — no   king — no  church — no  sect, 

Can  keep  him  from  his  own. 

His  flag  shall  fly  where  his  fathers  fought — 

In  the  homeland  of  the  Jew; 
One  race!    One  flag!    One  nation!    Why  not? 

For  the  dream  of  the  strong  comes  true. 

HERBERT  N.  CARSON. 

Rallying  Song 

JV/JY  people,  my  people!     Arise,  O  bleeding  East, 
A*A     Arise  in  the  Westlands,  you  fools  that  blindly 

feast ! 

The  nations  call  again 
For  faith,  for  deeds,  for  men, 
Yet  we  that  rise 
When  Israel  cries 
Are  less  than  one  in  ten. 

My    brothers,    my    brothers!      O    wand'ring    aimless 

horde, 

A  clarion  from  Zion  is  speaking  for  the  Lord! 
The  thund'ring  heavens  command: 
"Arise  a  mighty  band ; 
With  heart  and  voice 
Make  now  the  choice, 
And  straightly  seek  your  land." 

My  heroes,  my  heroes,  whose  hearts  and  lives  are  free, 
Arise  and  be  counted  that  all  the  world  may  see ! 
Those  ancient  fields  reclaim 
Whence  Israel's  splendor  came, 

497 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  win  and  hold 

Our  land  of  old 

To  consecrate  her  name. 

JESSIE  E.  SAMPTER. 


In  the  Land  of  Our  Fathers 

DLUE  are  the  skies  in  the  land  of  our  fathers — 

A  blue  of  the  beauteous  sheen; 

Through  the  clear  of  the  air  on  the  farthest  horizon 
The  mountains  of  Judah  are  seen. 

Broad  are  the  dales  in  the  land  of  out  fathers, 

Sweet  with  the  fragrance  of  flowers; 
Fair-smelling    groves    where    the    almond-trees    mur- 
mur— 

Vistas  of  grape-girded  bowers. 

High  are  the  hills  in  the  land  of  our  fathers 

To  reach  to  the  vaulting  sky; 
Israelites,  sturdily  tilling  and  reaping, 

Are  chanting  their  carols  nearby. 

Bright  gleams  the  moon  in  the  land  of  our  fathers, 

Aglint  on  the  evening-dew, — 
Through  myriad  stars  the  queen  of  the  even 

Sails  on  the  sea  of  blue. 

Fair  are  the  babes  in  the  land  of  our  fathers, 

Comely  and  gladsome  and  gay; — 
Godly  the  words  of  the  songs  they  are  singing — 

Sailing  the  ocean  of  blue.  K.  L.  SILLMAN. 


On  to  the  East 

VOUR   loins   let    girt   be, 

Your  staff  in  hand  hold; 
Upon  your  shoulders  now  fling  ye 
Your  treasures  and  gold. 

498 


NATIONAL 

In  the  Lord  hope,  and  pleading 

His  counsel  implore, 
Your  band  He'll  be  leading, 

To  Canaan's  green  shore! 

There   in    the   land   of   our  sires 

We  never  shall   fear 
The  lash  which  hatred  inspires 

In  evil  men  here. 
We,  too,  will  the  sword  don, 

And  the  foe  bravely  breast, 
Up,  brethren!  and  lead  on 

To  our  land  in  the  East! 

With  joy  we'll  our  land   till, 

Her  clods  melt  with  caresses, 
With  plenty  our  stores  fill, 

With  old  wine  our  presses. 
We'll  be  gleeful  and  care-free, 

Our  souls  within  will  rejoice,       ~ 
Up,    brethren !   why  pause   ye  ? 

On  to  Jerusalem,  our  choice! 

On    Moriah's   high   mountain, 

We'll    our    banner   outspread, 
We'll    drink    from    God's    fountain, 

Our  ranks  He  will  head! 
From  the  City's  high  tower 

The  Lord's  standard  will  wave, 
Brethren,  up!  summon  power, 

March  to  Zion!     Ye  brave! 

NAPHTALI  HERZ  IMBER. 
(Translated  by  Rebecca  A.  Altman.) 


The  Cedars  of  Lebanon 

DUT  the  waves  of  the  fury  of  nations 

Swept  down  on  the  trees  of  the  vale, 
Like  rolling  and  wild  inundations 
Lashed  on  by  the  blasts  of  the  gale. 

499 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  the  strength  of  the  cedars  was  shattered, 
Their  frames  into  shreds  were  cleft, 

And  their  limbs  on  the  billows  were  scattered,— 
Yet  the  roots  in  the  mountain  were  left. 

And  the  seeds  of  the  trees  were  taken 
And  lodged  in  the  land  of  their  foes, 

And  there  untended,  forsaken, 
New  cedars  arose. 

o 

And  the  foe  his  proud  branches  entwining 
Above  them,  shut  off  from  their  view 

The  sun  that  upon  them  was  shining, 
And  robbed  them  of  rain  and  of  dew. 

And  mocked  were  the  once  mighty  cedars, 
Their  name  a  disgrace  was  become, 

For  they  had  not,  they  had  not  the  leaders 
To  bring  them  home. 

HENRY  SCHNITTKIND. 


O  Sweet  Anemones! 

SWEET  anemones  on  Sharon's  plain, 
Light  dancing  seraphim  of  sun  and  rain, 

Was  he  not  one  of  us,  was  he  not  ours? 

And  yet  he  saved  not  us,  O  crimson  flowers! 

As  stars  that  bloom  in  heaven,  full-bloom  and  still, 
As  native  stags  that  leap  from  hill  to  hill, 
As  you,  dear  blossom-stars,  on  native  plains, 
So  planted  here,  with  God,  our  home  remains. 

I,  too,  would  perish  here,  where  he  has  died, 
But  felled  by  horse  and  spear,  not  crucified; 
I,  man  of  peace,  would  pour,  O  Rock  of  God, 
My  freedom  or  my  blood  on  Zion's,  sod. 

500 


NATIONAL 

When  pagans  sweep  thy  fields  with  withering  blast, 

My  heart  is  sanctified  to  death  at  last; 

Its  taste  is  honey-sweet  within  my  mouth, 

For  we  that  drink  with  God  can  dread  no  drouth. 

O  sweet  anemones  on  Sharon's  plain, 
A  spring  shall  come  for  us,  to  bloom  again, — 
To  God  a  day,  to  us  a  thousand  years, — 
Who  still  remembers,  lives,  refreshed  with  tears. 

JESSIE  E.  SAMPTER. 


Zion 

\    AND  of  the  cedar  and  palm, 
*— '       Land  of  the  olive  and  myrtle, 
Breathing  of  Gilead's  balm 

Over   fragrant   fields   and    fertile, 
From  the  sunset  shore  of  the  sea 
Greeting  of  peace  to  thee! 

Though  the  din  of  strange  cities  resound 
In  our  ears,  forget  we  can  never 

Those  piercing,  lingering  sounds 
Or  David's  lyre,  that  ever 

To  Zion's  Redeemer  upraise 

Their  psean  of  deathless  praise. 

And  we  that  long  for  that  sunny  field, 

The  abode  of  our  youth,  where  God's  spirit 

First  to  mortals  revealed 

Those  truths  that  we  still  inherit, 

Field  fertile  with  fruitage  of  glory 

And  haunted  by  memories  hoary. 

• 

Happy  are  they  that  sow 

Thy  seed  and  reap  of  their  sowing! 
Happy!  they  never  shall  know 

The  exile's  sorrow,  not  knowing 
The  infinite  heart-ache  and  pain 
Of  the  toilers  that  toil  in  vain. 

501 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

From  the  land  of  our  sojourning 

Zion,  to  thee,  nor  burn 
With  a  fever  or  fretful  yearning 

In  the  patience  of  hope  we  toil 

Again  to  possess  thy  soil. 

Land  of  the  cedar  and  palm, 
Land  of  the  olive  and  myrtle, 

Breathing  Gilead's  balm 

Over  fragrant  fields  and  fertile, 

From  the  sunset  shore  of  the  sea 

In  God's  time  we  shall  come  to  thee. 

EUGENE  KOHN. 


The  Awakening  of  Israel 

1WIUST  the  sea  plead  in  vain  that  the  river 
***•       May  return  to  its  mother  for  rest 
And  the  earth  beg  the  rain-clouds  to  give  her 
Of  dews  she  has  drawn  from  her  breast? 

Swing  inward,  Oh!  gates  of  the  future, 
Swing  outward,  ye  doors  of  the  past, 

For  the  soul  of  Israel  is  waking 
And   rising   from   slumber   at  last. 

The  black  clouds  of  night  are  retreating, 
The  white  peaks  have  signaled  the  day; 

And  freedom  her  long  roll  is  beating 
And  calling  her  sons  to  the  fray. 

From  the  dust  where  his  proud  tyrants  found  him 
Unhonored,   and  scorned   and  betrayed, 

He  shall  rise  with  the  sunlight  around  him 
And  rule  in  the  realm  he  has  made. 

ANONYMOUS. 


502 


NATIONAL 


Sing  Unto  God  a  New  Song 

CING  unto  God  a  new  song,  sing  no  more 
^       These   melodies   of   melancholic   strain 

That  mourn  the  vanished  glory  that  did  reign 
O'er  Zion  in  the  golden  days  of  yore. 
Wherefore  forever  weep,  fore'er  deplore 

Our  loss?     Vain  are  our  tears,  our  prayer  is  vain 

Would  we  our  ancient  heritage  regain, 
Then  must  our  song  on  faith's  own  pinions  soar. 

Sing  then  to  God  a  joyous  song, 
Yea,  sing  Redemption's  sun  new-risen  in  the  East, 

A  song  of  triumph  till  the  echoes  ring 
Back  from  the  ample  heaven's  azure  dome; 

For  yet  shall  we,  from  evil's  chains  released, 
Zion,  to  thee  return,  our  hallowed  home. 

EUGENE  KOHN. 


In  Exile 

O,  with  the  wand'rer's  staff  in  hand, 
Without  a  home,  without  a  land, 
Without  to-morrow,  or  to-day, 
Ne'er  tolerated,  e'er  in  flight 
Not  found  by  day  where  lodged  by  night. 
Forever  woe,  woe,  woe, 
Forever  go,   go,   go, 
Forever  drive,  drive,  drive, 
The  time  we  barely  keep  alive. 

Our  greatness  lieth  in  the  dust; 
Our  holy  life — a  life  unjust; 
Our  glorious  name — a  danger  great; 
Our  proud  descent — a  cause  for  hate; 
Our  genius — nothing  but  a  crime; 
Our  culture — scoffed  at  all  the  time. 

503 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

E'er  troubles  grave,  grave,  grave, 
Forever    slave,    slave,    slave, 
E'er  seek  to  know,  know,  know, 
Joys  in  the  curses  of  the  foe. 

And  thus  year  after  year,  alas, 
Yea,  thus  age  after  age  doth  pass 
Without  a  hope,  without  a  goal, 
While  dread  and  terror  fill  our  soul, 
As  wildly   wandering  we  go, 
From  pain  to  pain,  from  woe  to  woe, 
E'er  on  the  way,  way,  way, 
Forever  sigh,  sigh,  sigh, 
And  luckless  e'en  when  we  die. 

But  from  our  ancient  city  thus 
Beckons  our  ancient  God  to  us, 
Whose  voice  conveys  this  message  blest, 
"Come  here,  at  last  you'll  find  your  rest ! 
Yea,  here,  at  last  upon  your  desolate  hill 
The  son  of  Judah  dreameth  still." 
Then  hear  Him  call,  call,  call, 
Go,  seek  the  Temple's  ancient  wall, 
Yea,  trust  in  God,  God,  God, 
Lo,  there  will  cease  the  tyrant's  rod. 

MORRIS  ROSENFELD. 
(Translated  by  Isidore  Myers.) 


Psalm  CXXVI 

Zion's  dire  captivity 
The  Lord  had  turned  once  more, 
And  we,  like  those  who  dream  amazed 

Could  scarce  believe  it  o'er, 
Then   was   our  mouth   with    laughter  filled 

Our  tongue  with  song  too,  fraught; 
Then  said   the  heathen  Lo!  the  Lord 
For  them  great  things  hath  wrought! 

504 


NATIONAL 

The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us, 

At  which  we  are  elate. 
Turn,  as  the  southern  streams,  again, 

O  Lord !  our  captive  state. 
Who  sow  in  tears,  shall  reap  in  joy, 

And  he  that  wand'ring  grieves, 
Yet  bearing  precious  seeds,  ere  long, 
Shall  with  the  joyous  voice  of  song, 

Come  laden  with  his  sheaves.  I.  R.  B. 

Zionism 

HTHE  dreamers  are  not  dead  in  Israel. 

To-day   the   young   dream    dreams,    and   with 
the  ^  old 
Live  visions  of  a  deathless  past.     They  dwell 

In  every  land,  yet  hills  of  Zion  hold 
More  glory  than  the  fame  of  kings  can  bring; 

More  hope  than  ages  have  preserved. 
The  voices  of  a  golden  morning  ring 

With  victories,  extolling  gifts  reserved 
For  those  who  'neath  the  vine  and  fig  tree  sit, 

And  people  realms  bereft  of  ancient  charms. 
The  souls  of  prophets  with  their  souls  are  knit, 

And  martyred  heroes  call  again  to  arms 
The  sons  of  Judah.     Stars  of  morning  shine, 
And  dawn  breaks  o'er  an  orphaned  Palestine. 

JOSEPH   LEISER. 

Theodore  Herzl 

OUCH  men  are  rare — they  tow'r  above  mankind 

^   Like  Himalayan  peaks  that  touch  the  skies, — 
Missioned  for  a  majestic  enterprise, 

They  sway  not  in  the  fury  of  the  wind  ; 

And  on  the  scroll  of  life  their  names  are  signed 
In  characters  of  flame.     The  great  and  wise 
Know  them  afar,  and  at  their  bidding  rise 

To  nobler  conquests  of  the  heart  and  mind. 

505 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thou,  too,  hast  dreamed  a  world  compelling  dream — 
With  glance  prophetic  and  unfalt'ring  soul 

Thy  Israel  thou  strovest  to  redeem, 

And  lead  the  sorrowing  to  a  longed-for  goal. 

If  thou  wert  dreaming,  Herzl,  sleep  content — 

A  dream  like  Thy  God  unto  Moses  sent. 

FELIX  N.  GERSON. 


To  Theodore  Herzl 

\Y7HO  called  thee  to  such  holy  high  estate? 

**     Who  taught  thy  lips  the  all-redeeming  Word, 
Which  touched  us  to  emotioras  as  we  heard 
And  soars  aloft  to  Him,  that  guides  our  fate? 
Who  kindled  Ardor's  undiminished   flame; 
To  make  thee  bold  and  eager  to  attain, 
Despite  all  that  gives  thee  deepest  pain, 
The  highest  good,  not  evanescent  fame; 
Who  doth  sustain  the  skyward  lifted  hand, 
The  hopeful  sign  and  symbol  of  our  zeal, 
Upraised  high  our  shattered  nerves  to  steel 
As  if  in  warning  that  we  dauntless  stand  ? — 
It  is  the  God  within  the  nation's  soul 
That  spurs  him  on  to  dare  to  do  the  right. 
He  guides  his  steps  and  steadieth  his  sight 
That  he  may  strive  unswerving  towards  the  goal; 
Like  all  true  servants  of  the  living  God, 
Thou  gavest  heed  to  that  Celestial  Voice 
And  didst  assume  our  burdens,  of  Thy  Choice. 
Thy  heart  inspired,  thy  spirit  overawed, 
Remain  our  true  exemplar  in  the  strife, 
Though  good  reward  or  evil  be  thy  share 
We  follow  thee,  for  Zion  everywhere 
To  struggle  for  the  newly  dawning  life. 

GUSTAV    GOTTHEIL. 

(Translated  by  George  Alexander  Kohut.) 


506 


NATIONAL 


Theodore  Herzl 

FAREWELL,  O  Prince,  farewell,  O  sorely  tried! 

*      You  dreamed  a  dream  and  you  have  paid  the  cost 

To  save  a  people  leaders  must  be  lost  ; 
By  foes  and  followers  be  crucified, 
Yet  'tis  your  body  only  that  has  died. 

The  noblest  soul  in  Judah  is  not  dust 

But  fire  that  works  in  every  vein  and  must 
Reshape  our  life,  rekindling  Israel's  pride. 

So  we  behold  the  captain  of  our  strife 
Triumphant  in  this  moment  of  eclipse; 

Death  has  but  fixed  him  to  immortal  life, 
His  flag  upheld,  the  trumpet  at  his  lips. 

And  while  we,  weeping  rend  our  garment's  hem, 

"Next  year,"  we  cry,  "next  year,  Jerusalem." 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 


Theodore  Herzl 

DEACE!  no  tear  for  him  who  sleepeth  near. 

No  mourning  word, 
Splendid  paean  rather  and  ringing  cheer 

Be  heard ! 

Let  his  white  bones  know, 
Let  his  soul  discover 
Its  loving  overflow 
Of  him  his  people's  lover 
In  our  voices  thunder, 
In  our  labor's  glory! 
Find  in  each  tone  asunder 
His  triumphant  story — 
Of  his  hope  grown  free, 
Of  his  battles  won. 
Of  Lion's  victory, 

507 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  Judah's  noonday  sun. 
Hosannah !  thou  that  sleepest  here, 
Hosannah !  thou  that  sleepest  here ! 
Hosannah,  leader  'gainst  all  fear! 

Israel  lives  anew! 

HARRY  MYERS. 


The  Poet's  Spirit 
To   the  Memory    of  Naphtali  Herz  Imber 

"MfO  dirge  or  solemn  bell 

We  toll  for  thee,  oh  Voice, 
Stilled  by  the  sudden  knell 

That   ends  all  mortal  choice; 
Thy  tuneful  spirit  free  of  earth 

Must  ever  more  rejoice. 

Like  gull  or  petrel  free 

That  soars  o'er  billows,  brave, 

Thy  soul  shall  spring  in  glee 
Above  the  narrow  grave; 

Thy  hymns  shall  live  while  Zion  lives, 
While  Israel's  banners  wave. 

As  perched  on  mountain  crags 

The  eagle  finds  a  nest, 
Free  from  earth's  binding  rags 

Wandering  Soul  take  rest, 
Till  the  full  message  of  thy  song 

Thy  brothers  here  attest. 

Singers  like  thee  on  earth 

Tuning  the  immortal  lyre, 
Old  Nations  give  re-birth, 

Hopes  shattered,  new  desire; 
Beacons  that  prove  for  doubting  sons 

Jehovah's  living  fire. 

JOSEPH  FITZPATRICK. 

508 


NATIONAL 


A  Hymn  of  Zion 

ION,  we  love  thee  well, 
Fair  land  of  Israel, 
For  thee  we  long! 
Thou  art  our  heart's  desire, 
Our  altar's  holy  fire, 
The  breath  that  stirs  our  lyre, 
To  Freedom's  song! 

Land  which  the  Jordan  laves, 
Land  of  the  sacred  graves, 

For  thee  we  weep! 
Land  where  the  Prophets  trod, 
Where  Truth  erst  swayed  the  rod, 
Where   Psalmists  sang  of  God, 

Thy  faith  we  keep! 

Thy  dawn  now  fills  our  eyes, 
Thy  hope  now  tints  our  skies — 

Our  soul's  athrill! 
A  shoot  from  Jesse's  stem, 
Shall  rule  Jerusalem, 
Bright  be  his  diadem, 

O'er  Zion's  hill! 


JOEL  BLAU. 


509 


VII 
THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


: 


Bar  Kochba 

YY7EEP,  Israel!  your  tardy  meed  outpour 
W        Of  grateful  homage  on  his  fallen  head, 
That  never  coronal  of  triumph  wore, 

Untombed,  dishonored,  and  unchapleted. 
If  Victory  makes  the  hero,  raw  Success 

The  stamp  of  virtue,  unremembered 
Be  then  the  desperate  strife,  the  storm  and  stress 

Of  the  last  Warrior  Jew.     But  if  the  man 
Who  dies  for  freedom,  loving  all  things  less, 

Against  world-legions,  mustering  his  poor  clan ; 
The  weak,  the  wronged,  the  miserable,  to  send 

Their  death-cry's  protest  through  the  ages'  span- 
If  such  an  one  be  worthy,  ye  shall  lend 

Eternal  thanks  to  him,  eternal  praise, 
Nobler  the  conquered  than  the  conqueror's  end! 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 


The  Jewish  Exile 

After  the  suppression  of  Bar  Kochba's  revolt,  the 
Jews  were  debarred  by  Hadrian  from  entering  Jeru- 
salem. They  obtained  the  privilege,  however,  of  as- 
sembling once  a  year,  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives,  on 
the  anniversary  of  the  burning  of  the  Temple;  and 
from  that  eminence  the  patriots  took  a  distant  look 
at  the  beloved  city. 

VTfHEREFORE  weep  our  brethren  yonder, 

Gathered  from  afar  and  near; 
Wherefore,  father,  tell  me,  wherefore 
Are  these  weary  pilgrims  here? 

Ah,  my  child,  a  day  of  mourning 

Brings  together  Israel's  fold; 
Many  of  these  weary  pilgrims 

Once  were  warriors,  strong  and  bold. 

513 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH.  VERSE 

See,  my  child,  the  city  yonder, 
That  was  once  thy  father's  home; 

Now  dishonored  and  forsaken, 
'Tis  the  seat  of  hated  Rome. 

For  we  rose  in  strong  rebellion, 

I,  my  child,   and  all  my  kin, 
And  Judea's  long  lost  freedom 

Once  again  we  sought  to  win. 

• 
But  the  great  decree  of  Heaven 

Was  against  our   glorious   band; 
And  at  Bethar's  bloody  battle 

Died  the  noblest  of  the  land. 

Yet  the  fierce  and  vengeful  Roman, 

Not  content  with  such  a  prize, 
Heeded   not  our  women's  mourning, 

Heeded  not  our  children's  cries. 

But  he  cast  them  from  their  country, 
From  their  own  and  native  soil ; 

Sold  them  into  dreadful  bondage, 
To  a  life  of  hated  toil. 

Then  defiled  the  sacred  places 

With  a  ruthless  hand  and  bold; 
And  the  heathen  dwells  unpunished 

Where  the  priesthood  dwelt  of  old. 

They  have  changed   the   walks   of   Zion, 
Even  changed  her  sacred  name; 

They  have  reared  a  heathen  temple 
On  the  ruins  of  our  fame. 

And  to  fill  the  cup  of  sorrow, 

And  to  fill  it  to  the  brim, 
Hadrian  hurled  his  mighty  fiat 

With  a  purpose  stern  and  grim, 

5H 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

That  within  yon  sacred  portals 

Israel's  foot  may  never  tread, 
Though  beneath  that  soil  lie  buried 

All  the  dearest  of  our  dead. 

Bitter,  child,  are  all  the  tortures 

Of  a  cruel,  heartless  foe; 
Yet  a  life  of  hopeless  exile 

Is  by  far  the  greatest  woe. 

Here  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives, 

Once  a  year,  we  still  may  meet, 
Where  the  city  of  our  fathers 

May  our  tearful  vision  greet. 

So  we  gather  from  the  mountains 

And  we  gather  from  the  plain ; 
Here,  amid  her  desolation, 

We  behold  her  once  again. 

Till  the  sturdy  sons  of  Judah 

Break  the  Roman's  haughty  pride, 

Never  shall  I  cease  my  mourning 
Never  shall  my  tears  be  dried. 

For  I  trust,  the  Lord  in  heaven, 

Mindful  of  his  chosen  gem, 
Will  some  day  restore  to  glory 

Israel  and  Jerusalem.  LEON  HUHNER, 


The  Jewish  Pilgrim 

A  RE  these  the  ancient  holy  hills 
•**       Where  angels  walked  of  old  ? 
Is  this  the  land  our  story  fills 

With  glory  not  yet  cold? 
For  I  have  passed  by  many  a  shrine 

O'er  many  a  land  and  sea; 
But  still,  oh!  promised  Palestine, 

My  dreams  have  been  of  thee. 

515 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  see  thy  mountain  cedar  green, 

Thy  valleys  fresh  and.  fair, 
With  summers  bright  as  they  have  been 

When  Israel's  home  was  there. 
Tho'  o'er  thee  sword  and  time  have  passed, 

And  cross  and  crescent  shone, 
And  heavily  the  chain  has  pressed 

Oh!  they  are  still  our  own. 

Thine  are  the  wandering  race  that  go 

Unblest  through  every  land, 
Whose  blood  hath  stained  the  polar  snow, 

And  quench'd  the  desert  sand. 
And  thine  the  home  of  hearts  that  turn 

From  all   earth's  shrines   to   thee 
With  their  lone  faith  for  ages  born 

In  sleepless  memory. 

For  throngs  have  fallen,  nations  gone 

Before  the  march  of  time, 
And  where  the  ocean  rolled  alone 

Are  forests  in  their  prime. 
Since  gentile  ploughshares  marr'd  the  brow 

Of  Zion's  holy  hill 
Where  are  the  Roman  eagles  now? 

Yet  Judah  wanders  still. 

And  hath  she  wandered  thus  in  vain 

A  pilgrim  of  the  past?  , 

No!  long  deferred  her  hope  hath  been 

But  it  shall  come  at  last. 
For  in  her  wastes  a  voice  I  hear, 

As  from  a  prophet's  urn, 
It  bids  the  nations  build  not  there 

For  Jacob  shall  return. 

Oh !  lost  and  loved  Jerusalem 

Thy  pilgrim  may  not  stay 
To  see  the  glad  earth's  harvest  home 

In  thy  redeeming  day. 

516 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

But  now  resigned  in  faith  and  trust 

I  seek  a  nameless  tomb; 
At  least  beneath  thy  hallowed  dust 

Oh!  give  the  wanderer  room. 

FRANCES  BROWNE. 

The  Arch  of  Titus 

(CRUMBLING,  age-worn,  in  Rome  the  eternal, 

Stands  the  arch  of  Titus'   triumph, 
With  its  carven  Jewish  captives 
Shouldering  the  holy  Menorah. 

And  each  nightfall,  when  the  turmoil 

Of  the  Petrine  clangor  ceaseth, 

Seven  flames  the  arch  illumine, 

Mystic  glowings,  burning  strangely. 
Then  cast  off  their  graven  shackles, 

Judah's  sons  of  marble  graven, 
Living  step  they  from  the  ruin, 
Living  stride  they  from  the  Jordan. 

They  are  healed  in  its  waters, 

Till  the  freshness  of  each  dawning, 

Then  resume  their  ancient  labor, 

Perfect  marble,  whole  and  holy. 
Dust  of  dust  the  wheeling  seasons 
Grind  that  mighty  arched  splendor, 
Rase  the  Gaul  and  rase  the  Roman, 
Grind  away  their  fame  and  glory, 

The  shackled  Jews  alone  withstand  them, 

Shouldering   their   holy    Menorah. 

HARRY  WOLFSOHN. 
(Trans,  from  the  Hebrew  by  Horace  M.  Kallen.) 

Tourist  and  Cicerone 

OOD  sir,  thou  didst  me  order 
To  lead   thee   through   this  border, 
To  view  this  very  place; 
But  through  this  archway  Roman 

517 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

With  free  will  passeth  no  man 
Of  all  my  suffering  race. 

"See!  with  its  decoration, 
This  arch  derides  my  nation, 

By  Titus  scourged  and  slain! 
It  pictures  his  achievements, 
And  all  of  our  bereavements; 

Its  sight  fills  me  with  pain. 

"Then,   sir,   do   not  command   me, 
Indeed,  I  would  withstand  thee, 

The  custom  I'll  not  break! 
Alone  go  through  the  gateway, 
While   I  around  and  straightway 

Will  meet  thee,"  thus  he  spake. 

"My  faithful  guide,  know  thy  way 
Is  parallel  with  my  way," 

I  forthwith  made  remark; 
"I  hate  the  chariots  gory, 
But  love  Judea's   glory — 

The  Candlestick  and  Ark." 

Whereat  he  gazed  in  wonder 
Upon  my  face, — and  under 

His   eyelids   teardrops  stole, 
He  touched  my  hand  then  quickly, 
Half  doubtfully,  half  meekly, 

And  said,  "Sh'ma  Yisroel!" 

Of  course,  my  tears  descended, 
While  I  the  greeting  ended, 

"Adonoi  Echod!" 
Around  the  archway  turning, 
The  past  within  us  burning — 
"Jehovah  is  our  God." 

LUDWIG  AUGUST  FRANKL. 
(Translated  by  Henry  Cohen.) 

518 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Judea 

T  SAW  in  rift  of  cloud  a  beaming  light 

That  spread  soft  radiance  over  Judea's  plain, 
Where  mother  of  a  race  watched  sunny  rain 
Before  red  flashes  told  of  stormy  night. 
She  looked  afar,  through  misty  ages  vast, 
And  saw  her  progeny  the  scorn  of  men, 
Far  scattered,  trod  to  earth  to  rise  again, 
And  hold  distinction,  though  the  world  should  last 
Till  sun  and  planets  fell  in  void  of  time 
And  light  was  scant  as  when  the  world  was  born. 
She  saw  her  sons  surmount  the  stings  ot  scorn 
With  sad  eyes  and  with  brow  of  care;  sublime 
In  aspect  her  breast  throbbing  with  new  life  ; 
Beheld  universal  motherhood's  young 
Cease  their  dire  bickerings,  she  stood  among 
The  children  of  the  earth  unstirred  by  strife; 
Saw  creeds  lose  force  in  the  long  ages'  span, 
One  God,  one  hope,  and  peace  o'erspread  the  earth. 
Regenerative  man's  new  heart  at  bright, 
The  soul's  broad  scope,  and  brotherhood  of  man. 

CHARLES  M.  WALLINGTON. 

The  Tombs  of  the  Fathers 

IN  Babylon  they  sat  and  wept 

Down  by  the  river's  willowy  side, 

And  when  the  breeze  their  harp-strings  swept, 
The  strings  of  breaking  hearts  replied : 
A   deeper  sorrow  now  they  hide; 

No  Cyrus  comes  to  set  them  free 

From  ages  of  captivity. 

All  lands  are  Babylons  to  them, 

Exiles  and  fugitives  they  roam: 
What  is  their  own  Jerusalem? 

The  place  where  they  are  least  at  home! 

519 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yet  hither  from  all  climes  they  come, 
And  pay  their  gold  for  leave  to  shed 
Tears  o'er  the  generations  fled. 

Around,  the  eternal  mountains  stand, 
With  Hinnom's  darkling  vale  between; 

Old  Jordan  wanders  through  the  land, 
Blue  Carmel's  seaward  crest  is  seen; 
And  Lebanon,  yet  sternly  green, 

Throws,  when  the  evening  sun  declines, 

Its  cedar  shades  in  lengthening  lines. 

But,  ah !  forever  vanished  hence 
The  Temple  of  the  living  God, 

Once  Zion's  glory  and  defence — 

Now  mourn  beneath  the  oppressor's  rod 
The  fields  where  faithful  Abraham  trod; 

Where  Isaac  walked  by  twilight  gleam, 

And  heaven  came  down  on  Jacob's  dream. 

Forever  mingled  with  this  soil 

Those  armies  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 

That  conquer'd  Canaan,  shared  the  spoil, 

Quelled  Moab's  pride,  stormed  Midian's  posts, 
Spread  paleness  through  Philistia's  coasts, 

And  taught  the  foes,  whose  idols  fell, 

"There  is  a  God  in  Israel." 

Now  David's  tabernacle  gone, 

What  mighty  builder  shall  restore? 

The  golden  throne  of  Solomon, 
And  ivory  palace,  are  no  more: 
The  Psalmist's  song,  the  Preacher's  lore, 

Of  all  they  did,  alone  remain 

Unperished  trophies  of  their  reign. 

Holy  and  beautiful,  of  old 

Was  Zion  'midst  her  princely  bowers; 
Besiegers  trembled  to  behold 

520 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Bulwarks  that  set  at  nought  their  powers; 

Swept  from  the  earth  are  all  her  towers; 
Nor  is  there — so  is  she  bereft — 
One  stone  upon  another  left. 

The  very  site  whereon  she  stood, 

In  vain  the  foot,  the  eye  would  trace; 

Vengeance,  for  saints'  and  martyrs'  blood, 
Her  wails  did  utterly  efface; 
Dungeons  and  dens  usurp  their  place ; 

The  Cross  and  Crescent  shine  afar, 

But  where  is  Jacob's  natal  star? 

Still  inexterminable — still 
Devoted  to  their  mother-land, 

Her  offspring  haunt  the  temple  hill,   . 
Amidst  her  desecration  stand, 
And  bite  the  lip,  and  clench  the  hand  ; 

Today  in  that  lorn  vale  they  weep, 

Where  patriarchs,  kings,  and  prophets  sleep. 

***** 

And  by  the  Gentiles  in  their  pride 

Jerusalem  is  trodden  down; 
"How  long?  forever  wilt  thou  hide, 

Thy  face,  O  Lord !  forever  frown  ? 

Israel  was  once  thy  glorious  crown, 
In    sight   of    all    the   heathen   worn; 
Now  from  thy  brow  indignant  torn. 

"Zion,  forsaken  and  forgot, 

Hath  felt  thy  stroke,  and  owns  it  just ; 

O  God,  our  God !  reject  her  not, 

Whose  sons  take  pleasure  in  her  dust; 
How  is  the  fine  gold  dimmed  with  rust! 

The  city,  throned  in  gorgeous  state, 

How  doth  she  now  sit  desolate!" 

JAMES  MONTGOMERY. 
521 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Wandering  Jew 

CEEK  not  what  I  am  to  know, 

*^       What  my  name  is,  never  crave, 

God  records  it,  Earth  and  Woe, 

It  may  radiate  the  grave, 
If  at  last  my  tears'  long  flow 

Should  melt  the  stones  to  hear. 

Wandering  ever — I,  forlorn, 

Refuge  seek  for  this  poor  frame. 

Thinking,  suffering; — Man,  base-born, 
Spurns  my  right,  ignores  my  claim — 

I  pass  his  tortures,  scorn 
His  piety  and  his  jeers. 

Wandering  ever — storms  and  ire 
Burst  with  fury  on  my  brow, 

Adam's  curse  I  bore  entire, 

Wretched,  yet  too  proud  to  bow; 

Victim  ever,  on  the  pyre 
I  laved  in  grief  each  sin. 

Midst  the  whirlwind  raging  round, 
Vanished  lands,  seas  disappeared, 

Crumbled  all,  mere  dust  I  found, 
Empires,  temples,  shrines  revered; 

But  immortal  lived  Thought  bound 
My  heart's  sad  depths  within. 

From  life's  dawn  that  thought  upgrew, 

Ever  present  to  my  mind, 
Vast,  sublime,  it  shone  and  grew, 

All  to  it, — a  setless  sun. 
Glory  o'er  the  Past  it  threw 

And  o'er  the  Future — Light. 

522 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Longing  for  the  Infinite 

Moved  me  ever,  spurs  me  now, 

But  the  end  has  not  dawned  yet, 
Hope  unripe  hangs  on  the  bough, 

Ages  do  I  wait  and  fret 

For  that  which  comes  not  nigh. 

Years  to  me  are  moments  brief, 

Small  the  Universe  appears, 
Deep  in  thought,  immersed  in  grief, 

Weighing  tyrants  with  men's  fears, 
Sweep  I  Hope's  harp  for  relief 

And  raise  wild  terror's  cry. 

Every  suffering  has  been  mine — 

Outrage,  insult,  struggle,  pain, 
Strong  in  sovereign  thought  divine, 

All  I  challenge,  all  disdain. 
Foes  will  fail — not  my  faith's  shrine, 

No  time  has  that  uptorn. 

Seek  not  what  I  am  to  know, 

What  my  name  is  rests  in  gloom, 

God  records  it,  Earth  and  Woe, 
But  'tis  hidden  from  the  Tomb; 

Torture  me,  contempt  I  show 

For  pity  as  for  scorn.  DAVID  LEVI. 


The  Sentinel  of  the  Ages 

TNDER  shining,  under  shadow, 
^  At  the  gates  of  every  land, 
All  adown  the  lengthening  ages, 

Men  have  seen  a  Sentry  stand; 
Looming  grandly  on  the  beauty 

Of  the  blue  day's  crystal  light, 
Then  anon,  in  darkness  blending 

With  mystery  of  night; 

523 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

While  his  meditations  linger 

Over  glories  that  are  past, 
And  his  keen  prophetic  vision 

Sees  the  good  to  come,  at  last. 

At  the  portals  of  some  nations, 

We    beheld    him,    as    he    stands 
Pale  and  haggard,  weak  and  weary, 

With  his  grey  head  in  his  hands, 
Bowed  in  retrospective  sorrow, 

For  the  infamy  and  scorn, 
For  the  ages  of  oppression 

By  his  people  meekly  borne ; 
Till  his  features  are  transfigured 

In  a  blaze  of  wrath  divine, 
And  his  glassy  eyes  brim,  over 

With  their  bitter  burning  wine. 

At  another  gate  we  see  him, 

In  the  vigor  of  full  prime 
Mounted  on  a  stalwart  courser, 

For  some  charge  or  quest  sublime; 
Be  it  to  go  forth  to  battle, 

In  a  cause  of  righteous  strife, 
Winning  liberty,  or  glory, 

With  the  purchase  of  his  life. 
Or,  at  least,  to  gain  his  guerdon, 

And  be  named  among  the  great, 
By  the  aid  of  wealth's  distinction, 

Or  some  service  to  the  State.  • 

Otherwhere,  we  see  him,  seated 

Underneath  the  arches  vast 
Of  some  old  arcade,  surrounded 

With  the  records  of  the  past. 
Over  ancient  tomes  he  ponders, 

Filled  with  figures  rude  and  strange, 
Yet  their  contents  he  deciphers 

Through  Time's  labyrinthine  range; 

524 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Then  to  poesy  he  turneth 
And  in  numbers  sweet  recites: 

Or  he  wakes  the  soul  of  music 

In  the  harp  whose  chords  he  smites. 

Once  again  we  see  him,  crouching 

On  a  devastated  strand, 
Silent  as  the  Sphinx  of  Egypt 

Billowed  in  the  surging  sand, 
For  the  lash  of  persecution, 

Heedless  of  all  human  right 
Fell  upon  him,  watching,  waiting, 

Till  he  sank  beneath  its  might. 
And  he  lies  there,  bruised  and  bleeding 

But  a  brave  old  hero  still, 
Hoping  for  his  destined  future, 

When  his  Fate  has  wrought  its  will. 

Nations,  do  you  know  this  Sentry, 

Keeping  guard,  for  ages  long, 
Over  learning,  arts,  religion, 

Through  all  cruelty  and  wrong? 
Patient  under  dire  oppression, 

While  the  iron  pierced  his  soul; 
With  no  armor  for  protection ; 

With  no  weapon  but  a  Scroll — 
His  one  treasure;  hear  him  crying, 

"Though  I  die,  let  this  be  true!" 
Is  not  his  the  voice  of  Jacob? 

Yes!  it  is — it  is — the  Jew. 

Say  you  that  his  crime  demanded 

Punishment  from  God  and  men? 
Nay !    With  God  alone  be  vengeance  ; 

He  is  merciful.     But  when 
Man  metes  out  his  ruthless  judgments, 

With  a  mad  presumption  blind, 
He  wreaks  cruelties  of  demons 

On  the  weaker  of  his  kind. 

525 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

It  is  not  for  his  defection 

That  the  Jew  has  met  the  sword: 

Christians  slay  their  fellow-Christians, 
In  the  name  of  their  own  Lord. 

Has  he  sinned — this  Jew  immortal? 

Ay;  but  he  is  not  alone; 
Christ  is  crucified  forever 

In  the  House  He  calls  His  own. 
Multitudes  bow  down  before  Him 

And  profess  to  own  his  sway, 
While  their  hearts  are  filled  with  idols, 

And  they,  Judas-like,  betray 
Him  who  comes,  as  their  Messiah, 

And  their  fealty  would  claim; 
But  they  pierce  His  soul  with  sorrows, 

Shouting  praises  to  His  name. 

Sinned  the  Jew?     Well;  he  has  suffered. 

When  he  saw  his  judgment  come 
He  bowed  meekly  to  his  sentence; 

Like  the  shorn  lamb,  he  was  dumb: 
Bearing  shame,  contempt,  revilings, 

Grief  and  anguish,  pain  and  death; 
Only  saying:  "God  is  holy; 

He  is  One,"  with  latest  breath. 
Like  to  Christ,  in  his  submission 

He  has  met  a  martyr's  fate. 
But  his  resurrection  cometh  ; 

Though  it  tarry,  he  can  wait. 

Yes !    Already  we  perceive  him, 

Rising  up  on  every  hand ; 
Gliding  into  power  and  station, 

With  the  world's  wealth  at  command. 
In  the  forum,  in  the  senate, 

Lo!  he  wins  immortal  fame, 
Halls  of  learning,  marts  of  commerce, 

Ring  with  echoes  of  his  name, 

526 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

On  each  plane  of  high  endeavor 

He  is  foremost  in  the  strife 
Culling  everlasting  laurels 

From  the  battlefields  of  Life. 

So  God's  ancient,  chosen  people 

As  His  Sentinel  still  stands 
With  the  standard  of  Jehovah 

In  the  strong,  uplifted  hands; 
With  his  jewelled  breastplate  gleaming 

On  his  proudly  heaving  chest; 
And  a  lamp  forever  burning, 

On  his  helmet's  lofty  crest; 
While  he  welcomes  the  down-trodden 

To  his  hospitable  shores, 
And  in  streams  of  richest  bounty 

Blessings  on  his  brethren  pours. 

Standing  thus,  as  great  exemplar 

To  the  world,  the  Jew  appears; 
Bringing  hope,  as  well  as  warning, 

To  Humanity's  late  years, 
Showing  how,  as  King,  God  ruleth, 

When  mankind  would  test  His  sway, 
Yet  is  tender  as  a  Father 

When,  as  children,  they  obey. 
Prophet,  statesman,  warrior,  scholar, 

Israel's  glories  shall  increase, 
When  he  claims  his  royal  birthright  ; 

Brother  to  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

IBBIE  McCoLM  WILSON. 


527 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Before  Battle 

\V7E  have  toiled,  O  Lord,  with  our  blood  and  might 
^*         And  have  offered  a  hymn  to  Thee ; 
And  in  pain  and  rage  we  have  spent  our  light, 

And  our  nights  in  misery; 
We  have  dug  the  trench  and  built  the  site, 

That  we  might  be  near  to  Thee  ; 
O  Lord  our  God,  we  have  spent  our  light 

In  search  of  Thee. 

Garish  culture  we  spurned  as  we  spurned  all  things 

That  were  not  in  the  grace  of  Thee ; 
And  we  bowed  our  heads  and  our  hearts  to  kings 

Who  wore  crowns  by  their  claims  in  Thee; 
In  the  deep  of  night  we  have  sung  Thy  praise, 

Unperishing  songs  of  Thee  ; 
O  Lord  our  God,  we  have  spent  our  days 

In  praise  of  Thee. 

We've  preserved  our  flesh  from  the  joys  of  lust 

That  we  might  be  clean  with  Thee  ; 
We  have  fed  our  souls  on  the  dryest  dust, 

That  we  might  keep  true  to  Thee ; 
We  have  fought,  and  many  the  odds  have  stood, 

We  have  conquered  the  world  for  Thee; 
O  Lord  our  God,  we  have  spilled  our  blood 

For  love  of  Thee. 

We  have  toiled,  O  Lord,  with  our  blood  and  might, 

And  have  offered  a  hymn  to  Thee ; 
Yet  our  days  You've  cursed  with  the  gloom  of  night, 

And  our  nights  with  misery; 
We  have  kept  our  faith  through  the  bitterest  strife, 

Through  the  bitterest  strife  for  Thee; 
O  Lord  our  God,  take  of  our  dust, 

Our  faith  in  Thee. 

SAMUEL  ROTH. 

528 


H 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Jew 
(Dedicated  to  Benjamin  F.  Peixotto) 

IS  dark  face  kindled  in  the  East, 

He  walks  our  Europe  like  a  dream, 
And  in  his  great  beard  gravely  seem 
To  meet  the  poet  and  the  priest; 
His  nation  spent,  his  temple  sacked, 

A  haughty  exile  under  ban, 
From  pole  to  pole  he  holds  intact 
The  ancient  grandeur  of  the  man. 

Vain  burnt  the  fires  his  frame  to  melt, 

His   tough   will   turned   the   rack  to  straw 
The  granite  tablets  were  his  law, 

And  to  the  one  high  God  he  knelt! 

Before  his  zeal  fell  hate  and  spite ; 
Wide  grew  the  narrowness  of  marts, 

Immortal,   sole   cosmopolite, 

He  gave  for  freedom  all  the  arts! 

Always  the  ages'  argonaut, 

The  foremost  sails  he  followed  still, 
Gave  to  the  Christian  thrift  and  skill, 

And  peace  and  trade  to  heathens  taught. 

If   ran   to   greed   his  heart  sometimes, 
By  reverend  robbers  wrung  to  pelf, 

A  child   of  genius  in   all  climes, 
He  drew  the  muses  to  himself. 

Of  God's  august  historian  heir, 

Who  made  creation  eloquent, 

To  themes  occult  and  grand  he  bent 
The  realms  of  letters  everywhere; 
His  pencil   spurned,   his  marble  crushed 

When  art  to  monks  its  lease  resigned, 
The  splendor  of  his  numbers  hushed. 

The  rude  music  of  mankind. 

529 


STANDARD    BOOK   OF   JEWISH    VERSE 

Oh !  human  faith  in  God's  good  grace, 

Wait  boldly  and  ye  shall  not  fail, 

The  patient  ages  must  avail — 
If  freedom  knows  no  waiting  place, 
The  Zion  holy  to  our  hosts, 

This  reverend  world — made  ruin  by 
The  curse  of  shrines,  and  thrones,  and  ghosts — 

Art,  toil,  and  hope  shall  purify. 

GEORGE  ALFRED  TOWNSEND. 


The  Everlasting  Jew 

IFT  up  thy  head,  O  Israel,  gird  thine  armor  on 
^         anew, 
There's  a  rainbow  in  the  heavens,  there  is  work  for 

thee  to  do. 
Hear   not   the   jibing  stranger,   heed   not   the   envious 

crew, 
The   only   real   aristocrat   is   the  everlasting  Jew! 

Thou    hast    pride   of   ancient   lineage,    canst   boast   of 

blood   that's  blue, 
Thine  ancestors  were  princes,  e'en  when  this  old  world 

was  new — 
Ere   Greece   and  Tyre  and   Babylon  had   disappeared 

from  view — 
Thou  wast  still  the  sole  aristocrat,  the  everlasting  Jew ! 

Although  a  scattered  people,  e'en  though  thy  numbers 

few, 

Thy  star  is  still  ascending  to  rejuvenate  anew 
Thy  ancient  place  and  heritage  to  prove  the  mission 

true 
That  the  only  real  aristocrat  is  the  everlasting  Jew! 

HENRY  B.  SOMMER. 


530 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Israel 

SHE  stands  among  the  nations  of  the  earth, 
Unique,   a  figure   of   pathetic   grace; 
God's  chosen  daughter  of  the  human  race, 
Destined  to  woe  and  grandeur  from  her  birth. 
She  sees  her  children  scattered,  doomed  to  dearth, 
And  in  her  dusky  eyes  there  shines  the  trace 
Of  tears,  that  wet  her  pale  prophetic  face, 
Knowing  her  people's  pristine   power  and  worth. 

Oh,  stricken  Mother,  unto  whom  we  owe 
The  life  and  light  that  spring  from  one  pure  fount, 
Whence  all  our  laws  and  inspirations  flow; 
Not  vainly  have  ye  shed  your  blood  and  tears, 
Withstanding  scorn  and  hatred  all  these  years — 
He  guards  thee  still,  Who  spoke  from  Sinai's  Mount! 

IDA  GOLDSMITH  MORRIS. 


Israel  Forsaken 
('Azubah) 

I 

A  H !  ingrate  people  whom  I  sought  to  please ! 
•**•       Ahl  cruel  people,  scornful,  careless  men, 
And  dark,  sly  women,  dreaming  of  new  ease — 

Abandon  me!     Scowl  calmly  on  me  when 
You  do  behold  me!     You  who  brought  me  wine 

To  drink,  fierce-spiced,  and  pomegranates  to  eat, 
And   fat,  black  grapes,   red  apricots  and  fine 

Wheat   cakes  and   glossy  olives  sweet: 
Who  gave  me  smoothly  flowing,  oily  phrase 
And  guerdon  brought  me  of  ecstatic  praise: 
Lo!  now  because  I  sit  alone  forlorn, 
Throw  me  your  bitter  herbs  and  crumbs  of  scorn. 

531 


STANDARD    BOOK    OF    JEWISH    VERSE 

II 

I   danced  before  you  in  the   Satrap's  hall; 

For  you  I  trained  my  small  elastic  feet. 
I  wore  your  garlands,  bowed  and  carried  all 

Your  flowery  offerings.     Freely  did  I  eat 
Of  your  rich  banquet,  cruel  people,  cold 

And  scornful  people!.   Gifts  ye  cast  me  now, 
Because  I  sit  alone  and  have  grown  old 

Of  sick'ning  lees  of  wine,  no  wreaths  for  brow 
Not  ambergris  nor  cassia  do  ye  bring, 
Nor  frankincense,  nor  any  precious  thing! 
You   only  laugh   and   thrust  your  stinging  words 
At  'Azubah,  stabbing  her  heart  like  swords. 

Ill 

Ye  fondled  once  my  black,  smooth  hair,  and  said, 
"See  how  her  tresses  glisten  in  the  light!" 

Ashes  are   now  strewn   upon  my  faded  head, 
No  longer  lives  in  eyes  of  mine  the  sprite 
Of  joyance.     All  my  face  is  worn  and  wan, 
My  gold-embroidered  raiment  is  threadbare; 

The  sea-shell  color  from  my  cheek  hath  gone, 
I  sit  and  wrap  myself  in  sack-cloth  wear. 

"Who  cares  for  'Azubah?"  I  say  and  sigh. 

Forsake  me  cruel  people;  pass  me  by; 

No  pleasance  grant  me,  sing  me  no  joy-song, 

Too  old  I  am  and  weak,  erst  fair  and  strong. 

IV 

Ah!  surely  God  shall  cause  to  flow  for  me 

Some  rills  of  comfort  through  the  wilderness 
And  cause  to  grow  some  balm-exhaling  tree 

On  the  wide  desert  of  my  loneliness! 
I  must  not  sit  in  hopeless  solitude 

List'ning  to  the  merry  voices  in  the  street, 
Nursing  my  horrid  pain  to  quietude, 

Envious  of  sunny  faces  I  may  meet. 

532 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

'Azubah,  once  all  joyless,  joys  shall  glean, 
The  desert  shall  be  fruitful  and  grow  green ; — 
God  whispers  me !     So  feed  me  with  your  scorn, 
Oh!  ingrate  people,  while  I  sit  forlorn! 

CHARLES  LEON  GUMPERT. 


Puissance   of  the  Jew 

17  OR,  if  we  be  not  of  the  lost  Ten  Tribes, 

At  least  we  have  procured  them  harbourage — 

A  shelter  from  the  flouts,  the  sneers,  the  gibes 
Of  malice  that  befits  not  this  fair  age ! — 
Turn  where  you  will,  each  blood-stained,  guilty  page, 

The  foreign  hatred  ever  doth  abide, 

The  Jew  is  menaced  still  from  every  side. 

Are  there  not  signs  that  still  God  loveth  them? — 
Whate'er  they  touch  turns  golden  in  their  hands, 

And  stone  by  stone  the  new  Jerusalem 
Is  rising  'mid  the  waste  of  other  lands, 
For  as  their  Wealth,  so  too  their  Power  expands — 

From  East  to  West  the  sky  is  all  aflame 

With  dawning  greatness  of  the  Jewish  name ! 

C.  W.  WYNNE. 


Honor  of  the  Jews 

"THRICE  happy  nation!     Favorite  of  heaven! 

•*•        Selected  from  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth, 
To  be  His  chosen  race,  ordained  to  spread 
His  glory  through  remotest  realms,   and  teach 
The  Gentile  world  Jehovah's  awful  name. 

WILLIAM  HODSON. 


533 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Mock  on!     Mock  on! 

JV/FOCK  on,  mock  on,  Voltaire,  Rousseau, 
Mock  on,  mock  on,  'tis  all  in  vain; 
You  throw  the  sand  against  the  wind 
And  the  wind  blows  it  back  again. 

And  every  sand  becomes  a  gem 

Reflected  in  the  beams  divine, 
Blown  back  they  blind  the  mocking  eye 

But  still  in  Israel's  paths  they  shine. 

WILLIAM  BLAKE. 

"His  People" 

•  • 

LJE  set  us  free — 
11       To  bear  the  yoke— 
"Let  them  serve  Me," 
'Twas  thus  He  spoke. 

He  called  us  "Mine," 

Not  for  desire, 
To  be  call'd  Thine 

Meant  sword  and  fire, 

And  anguish  sharp — 

In  ev'ry  land 
The  exile's  harp 

Forgot   his   hand. 

They  reap'd  their  own; 

God's  Acre  ours! 
On   graves  alone, 

Might  we  grow  flowers. 

But  oh!  worth  while, 

Strong  love  divine 
Outcast,   or  vile — 

To  be  call'd  Thine. 

534 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

To  feel  Thy  love 

Like  shepherding — 
Like  brooding  dove, 

Like  eagle's  wing! 

As  mothers  speak 

To  sons  distrest, 
The  sore  and  weak 

Thou   comfortest. 

Oh!  worth  the  cost, 

And  welcome  pain!        ' 
World's  love  well  lost 

Thy  love  to   gain. 

We  will  serve  Thee, 

As  Jacob  swore, 
"This  God  shall  be 

Mine    evermore!" 

His  oath  we  swear, 

His  blessing  take ; 
Thy  yoke  we  bear 

For  Thy  name's  sake ! 

ANONYMOUS. 

The  Jew  is  True 

O  forth  among  this  homeless  race, 

This  landless  race  that  knows  no  place 
Or  name  or  nation  quite  its  own, 
And  see  their  happy  babes  at  play. 
Palace  or  Ghetto,  rich  or  poor, 
As  thick  as  birds  about  your  door 
At  morn  some  sunny  Vermont  May, 
Then  think  of  Christ  and  these  alone. 
Yet  we  deride,  we  jeer,  we  gibe 
To  see  their  plenteous  babes;  we  say 
"Behold  the  Jew  and  all  his  tribe." 
Yet  Solomon  upon  his  throne 
Was  not  more  kingly  crowned, 

535 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

More  surely  born  to  lord,  to  lead, 
To  sow  the  land  with  Abram's  seed, 
.  Because  their  babes  are  healthful  born 
And  welcomed  as  the  welcome  morn. 
Hear  me  this  prophecy  and  heed, 
Except  we  cleanse  us  kirk  and  creed, 
Except  we  wash  us  word  and  deed, 
The  Jew  shall  rule  us — reign  the  Jew. 
And  just  because  the  Jew  is  true, 
Is  true  to  nature,  true  to  truth; 
Is  clean,  is  chaste,  as  trustful  Ruth, 
Who  bore  us  David,  Solomon — 
The  Babe  that  far,  first  Christmas  dawn. 
***** 

The  nation,  aye,  the  Christian  race, 
Here  fronts  its  Sybil,  face  to  face, 
And  I  must  say,  say  now  to  you, 
Whate'er  the  cost,  of  fortune,  fame, 
The  Christian  is  a  thing  of  shame — 
Must  say  because  I  know  it  true, 
The  better  Christian  is  the  Jew. 

JOAQUIN  MILLER. 


O  Israel 

ISRAEL,  thy  glory  gleamed 

Through  long  ages  long  ago ; 
O  Israel,  a  David  dreamed 
Within  thy  tents  of  snow; 
Thy  warriors  wise,  and  brave,  and  good, 
Thy  women  queens  of  womanhood, 
A  pillared  cloud,  and  manna  food, 
O  Israel,  sweet  Israel. 

O  Israel,  again  I  see 
Thy  chariot  in  the  sky! 

The  seed  of  Abraham  shall  be 
Through  all  eternity; 

536 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Our  fathers'  faith,  our  fathers'  God, 
The  paths  of  peace  wherein  they  trod, 
With  love,  with  truth,  thy  soul  be  shod, 
O  Israel,  sweet  Israel. 

ROBERT  LOVEMAN. 

The  Everlasting  Jew 

(From  "Hellas") 

""PHE  Jew  of  whom  I  spake  is  old,  so  old 
*     He  seems  to  have  outlived  a  world's  decay; 
The  hoary  mountains  and  the  wrinkled  ocean 
Seem  younger  still  than  he;  his  hair  and  beard 
Are  whiter  than  the  tempest-sifted  snow ; 
His  cold  pale  limbs  and  pulseless  arteries 
Are  like  the  fibres  of  a  cloud  instinct 
With  light,  and  to  the  soul  that  quickens  them 
Are  as  the  atoms  of  the  mountain-drift 
To  the  winter  wind ;  but  from  his  eye  looks  forth 
A  life  of  unconsumed  thought  which  pierces 
The  present,  and  the  past,  and  the  to-come. 

***** 

Thou  art  an  adept  in  the  difficult  lore 
Of  Greek  and  Frank  philosophy ;  thou  numberest 
The  flowers,  and  thou  measurest  the  stars; 
Thou  severest  element  from  element; 
Thy  spirit  is  present  in  the  past,  and  sees 
The  birth   of  this   old   world   through   all   its  cycles 
Of  desolation  and  loveliness, 
And  when  man  was  not,  and  how  man  became 
The  monarch  and  the  slave  of  this  low  sphere, 
And  all  its  narrow  circles — it  is  much. 
I  honor  thee,  and  would  be  what  thou  art 
Were  I  not  what  I  am;  but  the  unborn  hour, 
Cradled  in  fear  and  hope,  conflicting  storms, 
Who  shall  unveil?    Nor  thou,  nor  I,  nor  any 
Mighty  or  wise.     I  apprehended  not 
What  thou  hast  taught  me,  but  I  now  perceive 
That  thou  art  no  interpreter  of  dreams; 

537 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thou  dost  not  own  that  art,  device,  or  God, 
Can  make  the  future  present — let  it  come ! 
Moreover  thou  disdainest  us  and  ours! 
Thou  art  as  God,  whom  thou  conternplatest. 

PERCY  BYSSHE  SHELLEY. 

Jews 

DRIDE  and  humiliation  hand  in  hand 

*•     Walked  with  them  through  the  world  where'er 

they  went, 

Trampled  and  beaten  were  as  the  sand, 
And  yet  as  unshaken  as  the  continent. 

For  in  the  background,  figures  vague  and  vast, 
Of  patriarchs  and.  of  prophets  rose  sublime, 

And  all  the  great  traditions  of  the  past 
They  saw  reflected  in  the  coming  time. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Israel's  Spiritual  Lamp 
(From  "The  Spanish  Gypsy") 

T  ABIDE 

By  that  wise  spirit  of  listening  reverence 
Which  marks  the  boldest  doctors  of  our  race. 
For  Truth,  to  us,  is  like  a  living  child 
Born  of  two  parents:   if   the  parents  part 
And  will  divide  the  child,  how  shall  it  live? 
Or,  I  will  rather  say:  Two  angels  guide 
The  paths  of  man,  both  aged  and  yet  young, 
As  angels  are,  ripening  through  endless  years. 
On  one  he  leans:  some  call  her  Memory, 
And  some  Tradition ;  and  her  voice  is  sweet, 
With  deep  mysterious  accords:  the  other, 
Floating  above,  holds  down  a  lamp  which  streams 
A  light  divine  and  searching  on  the  earth, 
Compelling  eyes  and  footsteps.     Memory  yields 

538 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Yet  clings  with  loving  cheek,  and  shines  anew, 
Reflecting  all  the  rays  of  that  bright  lamp 
Our  angel  Reason  holds.     We  had  not  walked, 
But  for  Tradition;  we  walk  evermore 
To  higher  paths,  by  brightening  Reason's  lamp. 

GEORGE  ELIOT. 

The  Spirit  of  Hebraism 

PHEY  tell  me  my  spirit's  departed, 
That  my  body  of  soul  is  bereft  ; 
And  that  barren  'midst  strangers  I  wander 

And  that  no  inspiration'  is  left 
But  my  vanishing  fires  ancestral 

Where  the  last  faint  flashes  are  seen, 
And  that  like  to  the  poor  and  the  stranger, 
What  is  left  by  the  world  I  glean. 

They  tell  me,  not  knowing  my  Spirit 

Like  an  ember  that  never  grows  cold, 
Tho'  smouldering  in  its  own  ashes 

Yet  murmurs  and  grows  as  of  old. 
Oh,  my  Spirit  awaits  but  my  seeking 

To  burst  like  a  spring  from  the  soil, 
And  if  once  it  be  free  from  confinement 

It  will  vest  in  all  fruit  of  my  toil. 

It  will  live  in  the  colors  on  canvas, 

And  survive  in  the  hewn  marble  plan, 
And  in  song  and  in  music  and  story 

To  the  last  generation  of  man. 
It  will  speak  from  the  lips  of  new  Prophets, 

And  their  truth  from  the  heights  will  be  hurled, 
From  a  model  city  of  Justice 

Where  its  flag  will  blazon  unfurled. 

From  the  Hebrew  of  HARRY  WOLFSOHN. 
(Translated  by  H.  B.  Ehrmann.) 

539 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Zions   Universal  Temple 
JNDER  the  Orient  skies  of  sapphire  where  the  sun 
^         is  all  aglow, 
With  a  radiance  far  surpassing  all  the  western  climes 

can  know, 

There's  a  pathos  haunting  ever  in  the  sunlight's  splen- 
dor  there — 

For  old  Zion's  temple  mould'ring,  for  old  Zion  once 
so  fair. 

For  old  Zion  once  so  fair, 
But  now  wrapt  in  deep  despair; 
Fled  the  glory 
Of  its  story, 
Once  of  majesty  so   rare. 

But  away  with  all  this  moaning  that  is  playing  fast 

and  loose 
With    the   sentiments   sure   tending    now    to   break    a 

people's  truce; 

For  affection  once  divided,  try  it  may,  can  never  stand 
As  the  symbol  of  the  union  that  shall  mark  Messiah's 
land — 

Vision-traced    Messiah's  land, 
Where  true  love  shall  sway  its  wand. 
Love  the  token 
Of  unbroken 
Peace,  that  lords  at  God's  command. 

Liquid  gold  of  sun's  own  moulding  bent  to  make   a 

world-wide  dome, 
Shall  in  future  roof  the  temple  marking  every  nation's 

home: 
Paved  by  earth  and  sea  together,   shall   its  tesselated 

floor 

On  its  huge  mosaic  gather  all  the  nations  that  adore — 
Nations  that  shall  soon  adore 
Zion's  God   of  cherished  yore, 
With  the  paeans 
That  the  aeons 
Echo  shall   forevermore.         HARRY  WEISS. 

540 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


A  Song  of  Israel 

ISRAEL!   wanderer  through  the  weary  years 

Of  wild  unrest; 
A  world-wide  pilgrimage  of  hopes  and  fears, 
Sometimes  in  joy,  but  oft'ner  far  in  tears, 

As  God  knows  best. 

Since  Jacob  laid  him  down  that  night  to  sleep 

On   Bethel's  stone, 

And  saw  the  angel  legions  downward  sweep, 
Their  watch  around  the  fugitive  to  keep — 

Never  alone. 

Beside  the  majestic  Nile,  on  Egypt's  sand, 

He  pitched  his  tent; 

There  on  the  desert  saw  the  uplifted  hand, 
In  cloud  and  fire  still  pointing  to  the  land 

Of  sweet  content. 

Beside  the  Euphrates,  where  Babylon's  wall 

So  proudly  stood 

He  saw  the  giant  empires  rise  and  fall, 
A  captive  exile,  yet  unharmed  through  all, 

Beside  that  flood.     , 

And  when  in  wrath  the  Roman  eagles  came 

To  Zion's  Hill, 

And  drove  him  out  in  thunder  and  in  flame, 
A  stranger  in  the  earth — Jehovah's  name 

Upheld  him  still. 

See  yonder,  on  the  snow-clad  Russian  plain, 

His  children  driven, 
Beset  and  hunted  by  the  imperial  train 
Like  sheep   by  wolves.     But  surely  not  in   vain 

They  cry  to  Heaven. 

541 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Far  brighter  than  the  Northern-lights  that  gleam 

Upon  the  air, 

The  signals  of  the  great  Shekinah  stream 
And,  like  the  memories  of  a  blessed  dream, 

Bid  him  good  cheer! 

Good  cheer,  O  Jacob !  though  a  wanderer  still 

In  all  the  earth. 

Thy  foes  will  but  the  promises  fulfill 
And  drive  the  exile  home  to  Zion's  Hill, 

That  gave  him  birth. 

A  nation  scattered  through  the  earth,  yet  one 

In  every  land ; 

As  the  blue  waters  of  the  Gulf-stream  run 
Through  the  high  seas,  yet  mingling  still  with  none, 

Behold  God's  hand ! 

God  speed  the  day  when  Jew  and  Gentiles  all 

Shall  meet  as  one 

At  the  glad  welcome  of  their  Father's  call 
In  the  dear  home  where  shadows  never  fall, 

Their  warfare  done. 

J.     H.     CUTHBERT. 

The  Fated  Race 

"VV7HAT!  still  reject  the  fated  race 
™         Thus   long   denied    repose, 
What!  madly  striving  to  efface 
The  rights  that  Heaven  bestows ! 

Say,  flows  not  in  each  Jewish  vein, 

Unchecked,  without  control, 
A  tide  as  pure,  as  free  from  stain, 

As  warms  the'  Christian  soul  ? 

Do  ye  not  yet  the  times  discern 
That  these  shall  cease  to  roam; 

That  Shiloh  pledged  for  their  return 
Will  bring  his  ransomed  home? 

542 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Be  error  quick  to  darkness  hurl'd! 

No  more  with  hate  pursue, 
For  He  who  died  to  save  a  world — 

Immanuel— was  a  Jew.    ANONYMOUS. 

People  of  Zion 

17ROM  far-off  ages  hath  this  people  sprung, 

To  Yahweh  clinging  still,  as  they  have  clung 
The  centuries  through.     Tenacity  of  mind 
In  every  generation — well  defined — 
And  purposes  unshaken,  are  the  fruit 
Of  worship  such  as  theirs.     They  pay  no  suit 
To  king  or  prince  for  favors.     Like  a  rock 
That's  beaten  by  the  waves  they  stand  the  shock 
Of  prejudice,  that,  never  ceasing,  rolls 
And  rushes  all  around  them.     And  their  souls 
Within  their  temples  cluster,  drawing  near 
The  altar  that  has  ever  been  so  dear 
To  Israel;  and  Israel's  mighty  God 
Seems  here  to  speak  the  plainer.     From  the  rod 
Of  gentile  hatred  here  they  turn  to  pray, 
For  this  to  them  seems  the  most  righteous  way. 
While  we,  whose  minds  in  every  season  turn 
To  seek  or  find  some  "New  Religion,"  learn 
To  look  upon  the  Israelitish  men 
With   reverence  for  their  steadfast  worship.     When 
The  "candles"  we  have  lighted  waver  so 
That  we  are  lost  in  "ists"  and  "isms,"  lot 
We  see  their  great  lamp  burning  still  and  bright; 
A  long  white  pathway  shining  on  the  night ! 

MARIE  HARROLD  GARRISON. 

Israel's  Mission 

T  HAD  a  mighty  vision  from  the  skies, 

A  glorious  vision  of  the  years  to  come; 
I  saw  a  noble  brotherhood  arise 

And  life  was  love,  and  every  heart  was  one. 

543 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Bound  by  the  golden  chains  that  none  can  break 

Each  unto  each, 
The  morning  stars  together  sang  "awake!" 

And  God  did  teach. 

Ay  e'en  the  God  that  Israel  loved  so  well, 
Who  taught  of  old  upon  the  holy  mount, 

Whose  glowing  words  made   Moses'   bosom  swell, 
E'en  as  the  waters  of  a  living  fount. 

And  then  I  cried :  The  prophet's  words  were  true. 

Time's  deathless  page 
Hath  seen  at  last  the  promise  old  yet  new: 

The  Golden  Age! 

A  great  light  like  a  blessing  o'er  them  fell, 
A  song  of  triumph  burst  upon  the  air, 

The  prophet's  words  were  far  too  weak  to  tell 
Half  of  the  glory  that  was  pictured  there. 


All  to  the  living  God  of  Jacob  bowed 

At  set  of  sun, 
A  million  voices  chanted  clear  and  loud — 

"His  name  is  One!" 


But  ah !  the  vision  was  too  pure  and  bright 
To  linger  on  this  fleeting  earth  of  ours, 

It  faded  like  the  glittering  stars  of  night, 
Or  like  the  fragrance  of  the  summer  flowers. 

And  yet  a  meaning  mystically  deep, 

Strange  and  intense, 
Thrilled  through  that  vision  with  a  wildly  sweet 

Prophetic  sense! 

O  Israel  from  thy  sleep  arise,  and  dare 

To  take  the  part  God  gave  His  chosen  few! 

Then  rise!  oh,  nobly  rise!  all  ye  who  bear 
The  sacred  though  oft-hated  name  of  Jew ! 

544 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Thine  is  the  work!  then  falter  not — press  on!* 

With  heart  and  soul, 
Press  onward  with  a  purpose  true  and  strong 

To  reach  the  goal ! 

Thy  task  once  done,  no  more  the  Earth  shall  weep, 
But  wear  in  peace,  Love's  sacred  starry  crown ; 

The  nations  shall  their  swords  to  ploughshares  beat, 
And  the  fierce  lion  with  the  lamb  lie  down. 

While  God  shall  smile  on  those  who  dared  to  lead 

The  sons  of  men, 
And   they  who   scorned   thee   in   thy  time  of  need, 

Shall  bless  thee  then! 

EVE   DAVIESON. 


To  Young  Israel 

LJOW  cloudy  is  the  sky!— 

And  thou,  thou  askest  me 
If  there's  in  Heav'n  a  God, 

A   God   of   Liberty. 
Oh,  child,  oh,  ask  me  not! 

I   couldn't  lie. 

How  cloudy  is  the  sky, 
How  gloomy  is  the  world 

But  thou,  thou  art  the  same 

From  land  fo  land  though  twirled 

Thy  lips  yet  spell  the  name; 

"Help,  Adonai!" 

Don't  listen  to  thy  foes! 

My  child,  thy  aim  is  near: 
Thou  willst  not  be  their  prey 

Thy  deeds  are  good  and  clear 
They  are  the  thistles,  they — 

Thou  art  the  rose. 

545 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

'    Don't  listen  to  thy  foes! 

Their  Saviour  was,  too 

A  son  of  thine  by  birth: 

Tell  them  that  He — a  Jew — 
Brought  them  redemption  on  earth ; 
To  heaven  he  rose. 

Don't  be  afraid  of  them, 
They  tell  the  same  old  lie — 

Thou  need'st  their  children's  blood — 
But,  child,  they  vainly  try 

To  stamp  thee  in  the  mud 

'Tis  but  a  flam! 

Don't  be  afraid  of  them, 

Jehovah  is  thy  guide; 
Thou,  tribe  of  worthy  men, 

Thou'llst  be  the  nation's  pride, 

"The  world's  gem." 

M.  OSIAS. 


The  Mystic  Tie 

THERE  is  a  mystic  tie  that  joins 
•*•         The  children  of  the  Hebrew  race 
In  bonds  of  sympathy  and  love, 

Which  time  and  change  cannot  efface. 

When,  'mid  the  world's  abuse  and  scorn, 
The  sons  of  Israel  bravely  stood, 

That  bond  was  holier,  stronger  still — 
Cemented  by  their  martyr's  blood. 

And  though  to-day  the  Hebrew  dwells 
In    every   clime   and    every   land, 

Yet,  joined  to  that  immortal  tie, 
A  holy  brotherhood  they  stand. 

546 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Go  to  the  North  where  Polar  stars 
Look  down  on  fields  of  ice  and  snow; 

Go  where,  in  sunny  tropic  climes, 
The  gentle  breezes  softly  blow. 

Go  to  the  countries  of  the  East — 

Arabia  and  the  Hindoo  land ; 
Go  where  the  calm  Pacific  sweeps 

'Gainst  California's  golden  strand; — 

And  there,  in  reverent  tones,  is  heard 
The  sacred  cry,  always  the  same, 

"O  Israel,  hear !     Our  God  is  one, 
Blest  be  for  aye  His  holy  name!" 

This  is  the  mystic  tie  that  joins 
The  children  of  the  Hebrew  race; 

This  is  the  grand  and  holy  bond 

Which  time  and  change  cannot  efface. 

MAX  MEYERHARDT. 


My   Heritage 

A    GLORIOUS  heritage  is  mine, 
**•       Attained  through  blood  and  tears, 
Enhaloed   of   Light   Divine, 

My  mission's  truth  appears; 
The  olden  benedictions  crown 

The  strife  of  exiled  years. 

The  noblest  heritage  is  mine, 
That  valiant  heart  may  know, 

For  annals  of  my  Past  enshrine 
Life's  boundless  depths  of  woe ; 

While  Memory's  body  watchword  kept 
Great  Freedom's  light  aglow! 

547 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

E'en  from  the  Ghetto's  drear  abode 
Hope's  world-wide  message  sped, 

'Neath  cruel  Persecution's  load, 
Though  brave  hearts  truly  bled ! 

And  tyrant  scorn  in  bitter  tears, 
Steeped  Israel's  daily  bread. 

The  suffering  of  long  ages  borne 

With  trust  of  faith  sublime, 
Now  hail  the  radiance  of  the  morn, 

As  joy-bells  sweetly  chime; 
Grant  Israel's  heritage  of  Peace, 

Lord !  over  Space  and  Time. 

To  all  who  guard  the  ancient  fane, 

The  purpose  high  and  true, 
The  inspiration's  holiest  aim 

Endow  with  strength  anew  I 
Keep  from  the  worldliness  of  strife 

The  heart-life  of  the  Jew! 

The  glorious  heritage  is  mine! 

The  honored  name  I  bear, 
Refulgent  with  the  Light  Divine, 

Empowers  to  Do  and  Dare! 
To  conquer  Prejudice  and  Wrong — 

In  victory  o'er  despair ! 

CORA  WILBURN. 


Shema-Yisroel-Adonai-Elohenu 
Adonai-Echod 

C\  GOD  of  Israel,  Lord  on  high, 

^   Hear,  O  hear,  thy  children  cry. 

Like  the  wave  in  stormy  gale, 

It  rises  with  its  mournful  wail, 

O'er  the  land  in  accents  drear, 

It  sounds,  and  murmurs  far  and  near. 

548 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Russian  with  his  tyrant  hand, 

Augments  it  in  his  cruel  land. 

His  lash  and  scourge  thy  chosen  race, 

Doth  scourge  and  lash  with  torments  base. 

He  hears  their  hunger's  fierce  desire,        :\Y/ 

With  mocking  curses  and  with  ire. 

Unclothed  and  starving  they  may  pine, 

His  heart  is  deaf  to  race  of  thine. 

Therefore  we  pray  thee,  Israel's  God, 

Free  thine  own,  and  with  thy  rod, 

Chastise  the  tyrant.     Let  him  see, 

That  still  thy  race  are  one  with  thee; 

That  still  thou  art  our  Adonoy, 

And  that  we  worship  thee  with  joy. 

NATHAN  BERNSTEIN. 

Judaeis  Vita  Aeterna 

MOT  for  our  sake,  O  Lord ! 

But  for  the  glory  of  Thy  name, 
The  splendor  of  Thine  ancient  word, 

The  honor  of  Thy  people's  fame, 
The  promise  of  the  truths  that  last 

From  time  unknown  in  Israel's  heart, 
We  hold  our  ancient  customs  fast — 

We  are  for  aye  a  folk  apart! 
Not  for  our  sake,  O  Lord ! 

But  that  the  world  shall  see  again 
How  Judah  in  her  soul  can  hoard 

The  faith  that  yet  shall  save  all  men — 
The  faith  that  in  the  olden  days, 

Beneath  the  blue  Judaean  sky, 
Sang  loud  as  now  its  love  and  praise 

Unto  our  God,  the  Lord  Most  High ! 

CHARLES  N.  LURIE. 


549 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Children  of  the  Pale 


comes  this  motley,   dark-eyed,   swarthy 
crowd, 

Of  alien  children  in  a  London  street, 
With  laughter  and  with  chatter  shrill  and  loud, 
And  hurrying  feet? 

From  that  'far  land  they  come  whose  eagles  look 

O'er  east  and  west.    Their  fathers  crossed  the  waves 

Because  they  would  no  longer  tamely  brook 
The  lot  of  slaves. 

For  generations  in  the  gloom  they  dwelt 
Dark  as  the  sombre  forests  of  the  North, 

Till  suddenly  within  their  hearts  they  felt 
The  call,  "Come  forth!" 


The  moss-grown  walls  of  hoary  synagogue 

And  school,  the  field  of  Death  than  Life  more  kind, 

The  jewelled  tables  of  the  Decalogue, 
They  left  behind. 

But  in  their  hearts,  as  in  the  Holiest  Place, 
They  bore  the  ark,  its  manna  and  its  rod, 

The  lust  of  knowledge  and  the  pride  of  race, 
The  awe  of  God. 

And  on  their  children's  faces  I  behold 

Flashes  and  gleams,  as  from  some  inner  shrine, 

Recalling  ancient  stories  proudly  told 
Of  Israel's  line. 

ANONYMOUS. 


550 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Judah 

\JT7HILE  the  tribes  of  earth  yet  in  the  dark- 
ness groped, 

Ere  iron  savagery  set  free, 
O  Judah !  had'st  thou  with  science  coped 

In  law  and  poesy. 

God's  chosen  people,  thy  songs  are  sung 

In  the  great  world  to-day; 
In  every  clime,  in  every  tongue, 

Thy  name  shall  last  for  aye ! 

Since  time  began,  yea,  when  the  earth 

We're  told  was  very  young, 
Fair  Judah  flourished  and  gave  birth 

To  wise  men  who  have  sung — 

Psalms  wherein  human  longings  bring 

Home  to  each  heart  to-day 
The  unspoken  hope,  the  desire  to  cling 

To  a  Higher  Power  alway. 

Strong  nations  rise  at  last  to  fall 

Beneath  the  strokes  of  Fate; 
But  Judah  rises  like  a  wall — . 

Invincible  'gainst  hate. 

Two  thousand  years  have  not  sufficed, 

Tho'  of  Fatherland  despoiled, 
To  destroy  the  race  by  all  despised, 

Or  tarnish  a  name  unsoiled. 

GEORGE  R.  Du  Bois. 


55i 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Chosen  Ones  of  Israel 

THE    chosen    ones   of   Israel    are   scatter'd    far   and 
wide  ; 

Where  flows  the  lordly  Tiber,  where  rolls  the  Atlan- 
tic tide — 
By    Danube's    winding    waters,    by    Hudson's    crystal 

springs, 
Dwell  the  myriad  descendants  of  the  Prophets  and  the 

Kings, 

Abroad  along  the  valleys  are  their  habitations  found — 
They    are    hunters   in    the  -forest,    and    tillers   of    the 

ground — 

The  rising  sun  beholds  them  in  torrid  realms  afar 
And  on  their  broken  legions  looks  down  the  northern 

star. 
In  the  old  world's  crowded  cities,  in  the  prairies  of 

the  new, 
Unchanged   amid   all   changes,    to   their   faith   forever 

true- 
Alike  by  Niger's  fountains  and  by  Niagara's  flood 
Still  flow,  unmix'd,  the  currents  of  the  grand,  heroic 

blood. 
Ye  mourn  your  lasting  exile,  your  temple  strewn  in 

dust, 
Yet   forget  not  ye   the  promise  of  the  righteous  and 

the  just — 
Ye  know  ye  shall  be  gathered,  from  every  clime  and 

shore, 

And  be  again  the  chosen  of  Jehovah  evermore, 
From    Assyria,    Egypt,    Elam — from    Patmos,    Cush, 

Shinar — 

From  Hamath,  and  the  islands  of  foreign  seats  afar — 
From  all  the  earth's  four  corners,  where  Israel's  chil- 
dren roam, 
Shall    the    dispers'd    of    Judah    throng    to    their   long 

promis'd  home, 
And   again  like  some  high   mountain   whose   tops  are 

crown'd  with  snow, 

552 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Shall   the   Temple's   thousand    turrets    in    the    golden 

sunset  glow —     • 
And  again  before  their  altars  shall  the  congregations 

stand, 
On   thy  plains,    O  lov'd  Jerusalem!   the   happy,   holy 

land! 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  remnant  in  that  day, 
Upon  the  Lord  of  Hosts  above,  the  great  I  Am,  shall 

stay  ; 
And  the  escap'd  of  Jacob,  from  the  paths  which  they 

have  trod, 
Shall   return  to  Him  that  smote  them — your  fathers' 

mighty  God!  pARK  BENJAMIN. 

t 
The  Star  of  Discontent 

OTHOU,  sweet  friend,  would  I  might  soothe  thy 
fear! 

Our  night  is  dark — the  little  vessel  drifts 
Unpiloted,  and  heedless  of  its  rifts 
The  shipmen  prank  themselves  in   festal  gear. 
And  shout  that  all  is  well,  afar  and  near, 
What  need  have  ocean-drifters  of  God's  gifts 
Of  chart  and  compass?     Lo,  as  each  wind  shifts, 
The  wandering  vessel  reels;  its  plight  how  drear! 
Brave  hearts,  despair  not ;  all  is  not  yet  lost — 
All  is  not  lost  beneath  black  Northern  skies; 
The   slumberer   awakens,    tempest-tost, 
And  all  his  soul  in  anguish  heavenward  cries; 
And  Hope  shines  forth  in  Jewry's  firmament — 
One  ray  of  hope — The  Star  of  Disconent. 

X. 

They   Call  Us  Jews 

PHEY  call  us  Jews.    Those  men  whose  family  tree 
•*     Springs  from  a  line  of  noble  ancestry, 
Who  trace  their  title  to  the  little  band 
That  in  the  Mayflower  came  to  freedom's  land ; 

553 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Or  those  within  whose  veins  doth  proudly  run 
The  blood  of  men  who  fought  with  Washington. 
How  weak  their  proud  pretensions  are  to  ours 
Whose  pedigree  with  undiminished  powers 
We  trace  to  him  who  first  the  truth  made  known; — 
"The  Lord  is  One.     He  rules  the  world  alone." 

Yes,  we  are  Jews; — proud  scions  of  the  race 

That  first  enjoyed  Jehovah's  special  grace; 

To  whom  was  given  in  Sinai's  synagogue, 

By  hand  Divine,  the  glorious  decalogue ; 

Whose  leader,  Moses,  formed  the  wondrous  laws 

Which  still  best  serve  Humanity's  great  cause ; 

Whose  leader,  Moses,  formed  the  thoughts  and  deeds 

That  inspiration  give  to  modern  creeds; 

Whose  people  still  proclaim  through  every  zone ; — 

"The  Lord  is  One.     He  rules  the  world  alone." 

U 

Yes,  we  are  Jews.     Scourged  by  relentless  hate, 
Our  fathers  wandered  on  from  state  to  state; 
Were  forced  to  dwell  in  narrow  Ghetto  lanes, 
Were  fleeced  by  torture  of  their  honest  gains. 
And  though  of  every  privilege  deprived, 
The  persecuted  people  grew  and  thrived. 
The  nations  might  degrade   them,   might  annoy, 
But  God-anointed  man  could  not  destroy. 
And  with  our  race  the  shibboleth  has  grown; 
"The  Lord  is  One.     He  rules  the  world  alone." 

Yes,  we  are  Jews.    The  People  of  the  Book, 
Our   duty   'tis  to  search  out  every  nook 
Where  evil  lurks,  where  ignorance  and  shame 
Cast  undeserved  reproach  on   Israel's  name. 
On  this  Association  falls  the  task 
With  pen  and  precept  error  to  unmask. 
To  teach  the  Gentile  world  for  what  we  stand, 
To  teach  the  Jew  his  passions  to  command. 
To  penetrate  the  homes  and  spread  the  light, 
To  preach  the  doctrine  of  Eternal  Right. 

554 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Throughout  the  hostile  world  let  Israel  be 
A  synonym  of  stern  morality. 
Then  will  our  prayer  ascend  to  Heaven's  throne; 
"The  Lord  is  One.     He  rules  the  world  alone." 

'  MILTON  GOLDSMITH. 


The  Jew's  Appeal  to  the  Christian 

SE,  Christian,  cease  the  word  of  scorn, 
On  Israel's  name,  on  Judah's  race; 
Though  lowly,  humbled  and  forlorn, 

He  hath  no  home,  no  resting  place; 
Deem  not  the  Hebrew's  soul  so  dead, 

So  abject,  that  he  cannot  know, 
Musing  o'er  Salem's  glory  fled, 

The  tear  of  shame,  the  pang  of  woe. 

When  by  the  streams  of  Babylon 

Our  captive  exiled  fathers  sate, 
On  high  their  tuneless  harps  were  hung, 

They  could  not  sing — disconsolate 
They  mourned  their  lost  Jerusalem, 

Her  hallowed  scenes  of  loveliness; 
Their  children  too  can  weep  with  them — 

They  cannot  sing  for  heaviness. 


O!  think  upon  the  severed  wave, 

Obedient  to  the  Prophet's  word ; 
On  that  dread  law  Jehovah  gave, 

When  Sinai   trembled  with  the  Lord. 
Forget  not  those,  our  favored  sires, 

Led  through  the  desert,  bondage  free, 
By  noonday  cloud,   and  midnight  fires, 

Their  guardian  guide  the  Deity. 

Boast  ye  of  power,  of  glory  won 
By  England's  warrior  chivalry? 

Think,  think,  of  what  our  sires  have  done, 
Of  Gideon,  David,   Maccabee, 

555 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

When  Judah  trod  his  lofty  way, 

Proud,  fierce,  and  free;  who  then  might  dare, 
Low  crouching  on  his  prostrate  prey, 

Rouse  the  young  lion  from  his  lair? 

Vaunt  ye  of  Britain  rich  and  great? 

Her  beauties  do  ye  fondly  tell? 
Such  once  was  Zion's  palmy  state, 

Fair  were  thy  tents,  O  Israel! 
Her  merchants  were  the  chiefs  of  earth, 

Their  vessels  thronged  the  Eastern  sea; 
And  Salem  gloried  in  the  worth 

Of  Ophir,  Indus,  Araby. 

Though  changed,  alas!  not  hers  the  doom, 

Thus  ever  hopelessly  to  pine; 
Our  father's  pitying  God  shall  come, 

And  rear  his  loved,  though  wasted,  vine, — 
Were  this  a  fond  and  idle  dream, 

Our  Prophet's  sacred  word  were  vain, 
Jerusalem !     Jerusalem ! 

The  Beautiful,  shall  rise  again. 

Virgin  of  Israel!  yet  once  more 

Encircled  by  the  choral  throng, 
Thou  shalt  lead  forth  the  dance,  and  pour 

To  tabret  note  the  merry  song: — 
Once  more,  once  more,  exultingly, 

From  holy  Ephraim's  mountainward, 
Shall  Jacob  hear  the  watchman's  cry, 

"Arise,  and  let  us  seek  the  lord!" 

Daughter  of  Zion!  raise  the  voice! 

Clap  the  glad  hand!  beloved,  forgiven, 
The  fainting  spirit  shall  rejoice, 

Refreshed,  once  more,  by  dews  from  heaven. 
The  land  that  held  the  iron  rod 

Shall  wield  the  shepherd's  crook,  and  prove 
(Hear  it,  ye  Isles) — that  Israel's  God 

Hath  loved  her  with  a  father's  love! 

556 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Cease,  Christian,  cease  the  word  of  shame 
On  Judah's  race — on  Israel's  name. 

J.  W.  BLENCOWE,  JR. 
I 

The  Jew  to  Jesus  <  JX" 

MAN  of  my  own  people,  I  alone 
Among  these  alien  ones  can  know  thy  face, 
I  who  have  felt  the  kinship  of  our  race 
Burn  in  me  as  I  sit  where  they  intone 
Thy  praises, — those  who,  striving  to  make  known 
A  God  for  sacrifice,  have  missed  the  grace 
Of  thy  sweet  human  meaning  in  its  place, 
Thou  who  art  of  our  blood-bond  and  our  own. 

Are  we  not  sharers  of  thy  Passion?  Yea, 

In  spirit-anguish  closely  by  thy  side 

We  have  drained  the  bitter  cup,  and,  tortured,  felt 

With  thee  the  bruising  of  each  heavy  welt. 

In  every  land  is  our  Gethsemane. 

A  thousand  times  have  we  been  crucified. 

FLORENCE  KIPER  FRANK. 

Moses  and  Jesus 

METHOUGHT    on    two    Jews    meeting    I    did 
chance- 
One  old,  stern-eyed,  deep-browed;  yet  garlanded 
With  living  light  of  love  around  his  head ; 
The  other  young,  with  sweet,  seraphic  glance. 
Round  them  went  on  the  Town's  Satanic  dance, 
Hunger  a-piping  while  at  heart  he  bled. 
Salom  Aleikem  mournfully  each  said, 
Nor  eyed  the  other  straight,  but  looked  askance. 

Sudden  from  Church  outrolled  an  organ  hymn, 
From  Synagog  a  loudly  chanted  air, 
Each  with  its  prophet's  high  acclaim  instinct, 
Then  for  the  first  time  met  their  eyes  swift-linked 
In  one  strange,  silent,  piteous  gaze,  and  dim 
With  bitter  tears  of  agonized  despair. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 
557 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Lines  to  an  Anti-Semite 

CTAND!  as  God  saw  thee  of  old  time 
^       We  see  and  know  thee  now; 
The  brand  of  unforgotten  crime 

Still  black  upon  thy  brow, 
That  mark,  Eternal  Justice  traced, 

Thou  coverest  in  vain  ; 
Its   blighting   stigma   unefTaced; 

Where  is  thy  brother,  Cain  ? 

Aye,  hypocrite,  and  if  thou  wilt, 

White  hands,  in  protest,  spread! 
The  blood  by  coarser  murderers  spilt 

Was  at  thy  bidding  shed. 
Thy  speech  inflamed  each  ignorant  soul 

With  thine  own  maddening  wine; 
And  when  their  fury  burst  control, 

Their  brutal  acts  were  thine. 

For  thee  the  crowded  Plaza  seethed 

Round  Seville's  high-built  pyre; 
And  shrinking  forms  of  women  wreathed 

With  boiling  snakes  of  fire. 
Thy  servants  fanned  their  ardent  breath 

Into    a   fiercer    flame; 
And  watched,  well-pleased,  the  dallying  death, 

That  lingered  ere  it  came. 

But  thou  hast  darker  secrets  yet, 

And  deeds  more  dear  to  hell. 
The  sightless,  sounding  oubliette 

Hath  kept  thy  counsel  well, 
The  silent  hours  that  crush  the  heart, 

The  soul-destroying  gloom; 
Thine,  devil,  was  the  fiendish  art 

Devised  that  living  tomb. 

558 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Woe,  woe  on  the  unhappy  state 

That  learns  thy  bloody  creed, 
And  makes  her  mansion   desolate 

Thy  cruel  lust  to  feed. 
Before  one  dread,  impartial  Bar 

Her  sons,  shall  find  ere  long, 
How  terrible  the  helpless  are, 

The  feeble  ones  how  strong! 

Lo!  where  the  dotard  Empress,  Spain, 

With  loosened  necklace  stands, 
While  those  fair  jewels,  grain  by  grain, 

Slip  from  her  nerveless  hands! 
Unmoved  she  sees  her  pearls  depart 

And  smiles  with  alien  eyes ; 
For  heavy  on  her  palsied  heart 

The  curse  of  Israel  lies. 

Foul  shark,  whose  malice  never  sleeps, 

On  noblest  victims  fed ; 
What  swimmer  bold  shall  cleave  the  deeps 

Thy  rivings  left  so  red; 
And  when  thy  bulk  sways  up  to  breathe 

On  that  encrimsoned  tide, 
With  one  unerring  home-thrust  sheathe 

His  dagger  in  thy  side? 

EDWARD   SYDNEY  TYBEE. 

I  Would  Reply 

TF  one  should  say,  "Thou  art  a  Jew, 
*       Of  race  for  centuries  downtrod !" 
I  would  reply:  "So  was  he,  too, 

Whom  you've  exalted  to  your  God ! 
Is  it  a  stigma  kin  to  be 
With  him  who  preached  in  Galilee?" 

559 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

If  one  should  say,  "What  are  the  deeds 
The  Jew  has  done !"  I  would  reply : — 

"The  corner-stone  of  modern  creeds 
Was  laid  by  him  in  years  gone  by. 

He  broke  the  gyves  of  tyranny 

And  taught  the  world  humanity!" 

If  one  should  say,  "Thy  cult  is  old !" 
I  would  reply :  "Why,  so  is  Truth ! 

But  like  the  brilliancy  of  gold 

It  still  shines  with  untarnished  youth. 

Whatever  truths  your  church  may  show, 

The  Jew  professed  them  long  ago." 

MILTON  GOLDSMITH. 


'Only 


a  Jew" 


pATIENT  in  sorrow,  and  never  repining, 
Bending  submissively  low  to  the  blast; 
Conscious  that  Heaven  is  never  designing 

That  sickness  or  sorrow  forever  should  last, 
Striving  mid  poverty,  earnest  and  active, 

Nerving  his  efforts,  industrious  and  true, 
Spurning  all  wrong,  howsoever  attractive, 

Humble  and  pious,  though  "Only  a  Jew." 

Prosperity  crowning  his  efforts  and  striving, 

See,   Fortune,  propitious,  his  industry  bless; 
To  comfort  and  competence,  haply  arriving, 

Still  earnest  and  active,  his  energies  press. 
Gladly  relieving  all  sorrow  and  anguish, 

While  tears  sympathetic  his  features  bedew, 
Where  sad  ones  in  poverty  and  wretchedness  languish, 

God's  angel  on  earth — though  "Only  a  Jew." 

Affectionate  heart,  throbs  his  bosom,  e'er  swelling 
For  dear  ones,  who  claim  his  attachment  and  love; 

An  earthly  Elysium,  his  Eden-like  dwelling 

(A  foretaste  on  earth  of  bright  heaven  above.) 

560 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Obedient  his  child  life,  now  his  children  adore  him  ; 

His  wife,  with  affection,  does  life's  joys  renew, 
The  bright  rays  of  happiness  ever  shine  o'er  him, 

As  father,  as  husband,  though  "Only  a  Jew." 

Progressive  in  Science,  in  Art  and  in  Learning; 

Dispensing   their   benefits,    near  and   afar — 
Till  grateful,  his  worth  now  his  country  discerning 

He  graces  in  honor  the  Senate — the  Bar — 
Pleading  in  eloquence  'gainst  every  oppression; 

He  strives  for  the  "Right,"  and  does  baseness  pursue, 
Yet  "damned  with  faint  praise,"  he  hears  envy's  ex- 
pression, 

After  all,  you  must  own,  that  he's  "Only  a  Jew." 

His  tongue  free  from  evil,  his  lips  from  deceiving, 
E'en  to  those  who  may  spurn  him  his  heart  remains 

dumb ; 
While  sadly  their  bootless  malignity  grieving, 

.  He  knows  that  a  time  of  Redemption  will  come. 
When  shining  again  in  Empyrean  splendor, 

The  glories  of  Israel  will  beam  forth  anew, 
Thus  blessing  in  Life,  does  his  blessed  death  render 
A  pure  soul  to  God,  though  he's  "Only  a  Jew." 

P.  H. 


Thou  Art  a  Jew 

""THOU  art  a  Jew,  and  all  is  said 
*         That  need  be  said,  fore'er  to  bar  the  way, 
To  where  doth  linger  the  exclusive  ray 

Of  social  sunshine;  here  the  dead 

And  foolish  issues  of  the  past 

Are  born  again,  and  bigotry  appears 
And  dares  to  sit  in  judgment  on  his  peers, 

A  race  immortal,  ancient,  vast. 

561 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thou  art  a  Jew,  and  by  that  name 

Alone,  thou'rt  judged;  thy  virtues  play  no  part; 

Thy  graces,  strength  of  mind,  or  depth  of  heart, 
All  lost  in  the  consuming  flame 
Of  ignorance.     Through  eyes  of  love 

They  look  not  at  thee,  fearing  they  may  find 

Some  merit,  toward  which  they  were  ever  blind ; 
Some  soul,  some  grandeur  from  above. 

Though  here  and  there,  a  hollow  tree 

Doth  stand  among  the  mighty  tow'ring  pines, 
Still  is  the  forest  beautiful.     And  mines 

Of  dazzling  riches  we  could  see 

If  we  but  delved  beneath  the  clay. 

Below  the  surface  we  must  seek  to  find 

True  worth,  true  greatness,  and  the  master  mind; 

Beyond  the  darkness,  lingers  day. 

The  social  barrier  that  stands 

Grim  sentinel  between  the  faiths  to-day, 
Is  prejudice;  it  knoweth  but  the  way 

Its  father,  ignorance,  demands 

To  judge  the  many  by  the  few. 

Amid  the  weeds  the  dainty  wild  flower  grows, 
Great  good  'mid  evil  often  may  repose; 

.But  as  for  thee,  thou  art  a  Jew. 

Thou  art  a  Jew ;  then  let  thy  ways 

Not  dim  the  lustre  of  thy  fathers'  creed. 

Let  honor  be  thy  star;  thy  every  deed 
Reflect  its  brightness  on  thy  days. 
Be  faithful,  patient,  noble,  true ; 

Kindness  and  justice  in  thy  heart  abide; 

Live  thus  and  thou  wilt  feel  a  worthy  pride 
When  it  is  said,  thou  art  a  Jew. 

I.  N.  L. 


562 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Israel 

LJEAR,  O  Israel,  Jehovah,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one, 
•*•  *•       But  we,  Jehovah,  His  people,  are  dual  and  so 
undone. 

Slaves  in  eternal  Egypts,  baking  their  strawless  bricks, 
At  ease  in  successive  Zions,  prating  their  politics. 

Rotting  in  sunlit  Rumania,  pigging  in  Russian  pale, 
Driving  in  Park,  Bois,  and  Prater,  clinging  to  Fash- 
ion's tail; 

Reeling  before  every  rowdy,  sore  with  a  hundred  stings, 
Clothed  in  fine  linen  and  purple,  loved  at  the  courts  of 
Kings  ; 

Faithful   friends  to  our  foemen,  slaves  to  a  scornful 

clique, 
The  only  Christians  in  Europe,  turning  the  other  cheek ; 

Priests  of  the  household  altar,  blessing  the  bread  and 

wine, 
Lords  of  the  hells  of  Gomorrah,  licensed  keepers  of 

swine ; 

Coughing  o'er  clattering  treadles,  saintly  and  under- 
paid, 

Ousting  the  rough  from  Whitechapel — by  learning  the 
hooligan's  trade; 

Pious,   fanatical  zealots  throttled   in  Talmud-coil, 
Impious,  lecherous  skeptics,  cynical  stalkers  of  spoil; 

Wedded  'neath  Hebrew  awning,  buried  'neath  Hebrew 

sod, 
Between  not  a  dream  of  duty,  never  a  glimpse  of  God ; 

563 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Risking  our  lives  for  our  countries,  loving  our  nations' 

flags, 
Hounded  therefrom  in  repayment,  hugging  our  bloody 

rags  ; 

Blarneying,  shivering,  crawling,  taking  all  colors  and 

none, 
Lying  a  fox  in  the  covert,  leaping  an  ape  in  the  sun. 

Tantalus-Proteus  of  Peoples,  security  comes  from  with- 
in; 
Where  is  the  lion  of  Judah?     Wearing  an  ass's  skin! 

Hear,  O  Israel,  Jehovah,  the  Lord  our  God  is  One, 
But  we,  Jehovah  His  people,  are  dual  and  so  undone. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 

Israel 

LJOW  great,  O  Israel,  have  thy  sufferings  been 

Since  doomed  in  every  land  and  clime  to  roam, 
An  exile  and  a  wanderer  on  the  earth, 
Without  a  country  and  without  a  home! 

Throughout    the   world    men    scorned    the    Hebrew's 
faith — 

That  holy  creed  of  origin  divine; 
They  stamped  as  crime  his  sacred,  pure  belief, 

And  mocked  his  worship  at  Jehovah's  shrine. 

And  Israel,  once  a  nation  proud  and  great, 

From  whom  sprang  sages,  kings  and  prophets  grand, 

Earth's  mightiest  race,  the  chosen  of  the  Lord, 

Was  mocked  and  scorned  and  jeered  in  every  land ! 

In  sunny  Spain,  the  Inquisition  dread 
Cast  him  in  dungeons  terrible  and  dire, 

And  with  a  thousand  tortures  racked  his  form, 
Then  led  him  forth  unto  the  death  of  fire. 

564 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Where'er  the  Hebrew  roamed,  on  land  or  sea, 

Did  persecution  follow  in  his  path, 
And  furious  mobs  deemed  it  a  noble  act 

To  vent  on  him  their  hatred  and  their  wrath. 

Ten  thousand  martyrs  died  for  Israel's  cause, 
With  fortitude  sublime,  'mid  smoke  and  flame  ; 

And  while  their  cruel  foes  stood  mocking  'round, 
They  called  on  God  and  blessed  His  sacred  name! 

Through  all  the  horrors  of  that  fearful  time, 

Through  gloom  and  death,  the  Hebrew  saw  afar, 

With  faith's  unfailing  and  undying  eye, 

Beyond  the  clouds,  hope's  bright  and  glorious  star. 

He  knew  that  God  would  rise  'gainst  Israel's  foes 
As,  long  ago,  upon  the  Red  Sea  coast, 

With  miracles   He  saved   His  chosen   race, 

And  in  the  sea  'whelmed  Pharaoh's  mighty  host. 

And   gloriously  was  that  bright   trust   fulfilled, 
For   Israel  triumphed   over  every   foe, 

And   marching   on    with   undiminished   zeal, 
Emerged   in  triumph  from  the  night  of  woe. 

Yes,   Judah  proudly  stands,  'midst   all   mankind, 
Once  more  as  beautiful,  sublime,   and  grand 

As  when,  in  blessed  days  of  old,  she  stood 
A  mighty  nation  in  the  Holy  Land. 

Weep  not,  O  Israel,  for  thy  martyred  ones, 

For  though   no    monuments   rise   o'er   their    tombs, 

Yet  fame  upon  the  sacred  spot  shall  shed 

Her  fairest  garlands  and  her  brightest  blooms. 

Their  names  are  grav'n  on  honor's  deathless  page, 
And  on  the  scroll  of  glory  written  high: 

And   though   earth's  proudest  monuments  decay, 
Their  deeds  sublime  will  never,  never  die! 

565 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Mourn  not,  O  Israel,  for  the  glorious  past; 

The  future  holds  a  destiny  more  grand ; 
For  'tis  thy  mission  great  to  teach  God's  laws 

To  the  inhabitants  of  every  land, 

And  cause  the  nations  of  the  world  to  know 
That  unto  Him  alone  shall  prayers  ascend, 

And  that  before  His  great  majestic  throne 
All  men  in   reverent  suppliance  shall   bend. 

Ah !  may  the  time  soon  come  when  o'er  the  earth 
In   thunder   tones  the  glad  acclaim   will  ring, 

And  nations,   taking  up  the  shout,   shall  cry, 
"The  God  of  Judah  is  our  Lord  and  King!" 

MAX  MEYERHARDT. 


The  Jews  of  England  (I2QO-IQO2) 

A  N  Edward's  England  spat  us  out — a  band 

•**•        Foredoomed  to  redden  Vistula  or  Rhine, 
And  leaf-like  toss  with  every  wind  malign, 

All  mocked  the  faith  they  could  not  understand. 

Six  centuries  have  passed.     The  yellow  brand 
On  shoulder  nor  on  soul  has  left  a  sign 
And  on  our  brows  must  Edward's  England  twine 

Her  civic  laurels  with  an  equal  hand. 

Thick-clustered  stars  of  fierce  supremacy 

Upon  the  martial  breast  of  England  glance! 

She  seems  of  War  the  very  Deity. 

Could  aught  remain  her  glory  to  enhance? 

Yea,  for  I  count  her  noblest  victory 
Her  triumph  o'er  her  own  intolerance. 

ISRAEL  ZANGWILL. 


566 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Right  of  Asylum 

UMSY  the  cry  while  vengeance  now  is  wrought 
And  from  his  lair  the  Anarchist  is  burned. 
"Shut  be  our  harbors,  closed  be  every  port 

And  from  our  shore  be  every  alien  turned." 
Yet  while  the  clamor  and  the  pursuit  is  hot 

And  public  anger  public  madness  breeds, 
Be  it  not  soon  nor  easily  forgot 

That  England  thus  an  ancient  title  cedes. 
For  centuries  a  pillow  hath  she  spread 

For  all  that  widowed  goes  and  wandering 
And  in  her  lap  hath  laid  the  unhappy  head 

Or  broken  Statesman  and  of  outcast  King. 
Shall  she  alarmed  by  that  small  horde  deny 

This  old  sea-haven  to  world-misery? 

STEPHEN  PHILLIPS. 


The  Jewish  Soldier 

1V/IOTHER    England,    Mother    England,    'mid    the 

thousands 

Far  beyond  the  sea  to-day, 
Doing  battle  for  thy  honour,  for  thy  glory, 
Is  there  place  for  us,  a  little  band  of  brothers, 
England  say  ? 

Dost  thou  ask  our  name  and  nation,  Mother  England? 
We  have  come  from  many  lands, 
Where  the  rod  of  the  oppressor  bowed  and  bent  us, 
Bade  us  stand  with  bated  breath  and  humble  gesture, 
Suppliant  hands. 

Long  ago  and  far  away,  O  Mother  England, 
We  were  warriors  brave  and  bold, 
But  a  hundred  nations  rose-  in  arms  against  us, 
And  the  shadow  of  exile  closed  o'er  those  heroes 
Days  of  old. 

567 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Thou  hast  given  us  home  and  freedom,  Mother  Eng- 
land, 

Thou  hast  let  us  live  again 

Free  and  fearless  midst  thy  free  and  fearless  children, 
Sharing  with  them,  as  one  people,  grief  and  gladness, 
Joy  and  pain. 

Now  we  Jews,  we  English  Jews,  O  Mother  England, 
Ask  another  boon  of  thee! 

Let  us  share  with  them  the  danger  and  the  glory, 
Where  thy  best  and  bravest  lead,  there  let  us  follow 
O'er  the  sea! 

For  the  Jew  has  heart  and  hand,  Mother  England, 
And  they  both  are  thine  to-day — 
Thine  for  life  and  thine  for  death,  yea,  thine  forever! 
Wilt  thou  take  them  as  we  give  them,  freely,  gladly, 
England  say! 

ALICE  LUCAS. 

Israel  and  Columbia 

Q  GLORY  of  an  elder  age! 

^^        O  wonder  of  time's  later  days! 

Foremost  for  aye  as  priest  and  sage, 

Ne'er  absent  from  broad  history's  ways, 
Let  us  not  fail  on  thee  to  place 

Some  share  of  our  Columbian  crown, 
For  one  of  all  thy  favored  race 

Sailed  with  that  fleet  from  Palos  town. 

Prophetic  dreams  of  worlds  behind 

The  secret  of  the  sundown  seas, 
Slept  deep  in  science  heart-confined 

From  Maneth  on  to  Genoese. 
Well  said  Isaiah,  seer  sublime, 

"Surely  the  isles  shall  wait  for  thee, 
And  ships  of  Tarshish  bide  the  time 

When  Hebrews  face  the  western  sea." 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  gates  of  unknown  worlds  were  sealed 

While  progress  waits  the  Jewish  hand, 
And  David's  earth  possessing  shield, 

To  lead  her  to  the  Promised  Land. 
Herculean  Pillars  vainly  rear 

Their  frowning  ne-plus-ultra  bound 
In  paths  where  fiery  pillars  steer 

The  conquest  of  the  planet  round. 

Spain  drove  thee  forth  from  mart  and  school, 

Princes  of  commerce,   thought,   and  verse, 
Thine  angel  led  to  broader  rule 

In  lands  which  laugh  at  Europe's  curse. 
We  hear  Jah's  voice  through  all  thy  course, 

"More  yet  beyond,  for  thou  art  mine," 
And  with  thee  dwells  the  secret  force 

That  makes  the  march  of  man  divine. 

For  thou  art  Hebrew — Abram's  seed— 

The  child  of  him  God  called  His  friend, 
And  son  of  Whom  the  nations  read, 

"Thy  kingdom  hath  not  bound  nor  end." 
Yes,  Hebrew,  man  from  realms  beyond, 

Upreared  to  lead  hope's  splendid  quest, 
Instinct  with  powers  by  ages  crowned, 

Restless,  thou  guidest  man  to  rest. 

So  Israel's  world-wide  moving  sons, 

We  hail  you  at  each  opening  gate, 
Through  which  your  flaming  promise  runs, 

While  Jacob's  star  leads  on  our  fate. 
And  more  than  admiral  or  crew, 

Whose  memory  nations  now   adorn, 
We  hail  that  nameless  sailor  Jew 

As  herald  of  the  New  World's  morn. 

JOHN  J.  McCABE. 


569 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Jew  in  America 

\Y7ING  thee,  my  song,  and  in  majestic  flight 
**     Grace  with  fair  melody  the  words  I  write ; 
That  they,  in  some  not  too  unworthy  strain, 
With  pride  and  plaint,  of  glory  tell  and  pain; 
Say  in  what  early  dawn  of  history 
High  fate  enmeshed  our  footsteps — made  us  be 
The  burdened  bearers  of  a  word  sublime — 
The  portent  and  the  amulet  of  time. 

For  that  far  vale,  the  cradle  and  the  grave, — 
Where  we  behold  God  and  the  world  He  gave, — 
We  have  come  hither  for  that  high  word's  sake, 
Bound   each   to   each   with   bonds  that   naught   could 
break. 

The  golden  thread  along  the  paths  we  trod 
Gleamed  bright  from  daily  contact  with  our  God- 
Through  labyrinthine  gloom  of  age  on  age 
We  knew  its  radiance  as  our  heritage, — 
And  though  in  strange,  far  lands  enforced  to  roam, 
The  broad  earth  held  for  us  no  alien  home. 

Spain  saw  us — Holland — and  th'  intrepid  crew 
Of  the  famed  caravel  whose  captain  knew 
Where  sky  and  ocean  melted  in  the  west 
A  new  world  waited  for  his  wondrous  quest. 

I\c4    ' 
A  new  world — with  great  portals  far  outflung — 

Holding  a  hope  more  sweet  than  time  had  sung, 
To  which  the  Jew,  of  life's  high  quest  a  part, 
A  pilgrim  came,  the  Torah  in  his  heart. 
Of  his  endeavor,  how  he  thrived  and  came 
To  give  new  glory  to  his  ancient  name 
And  wore  as  diadem  the  thread  of  gold, 
On  many  a  page  the  chronicler  has  told. 

570 


THE    MODERN   PERIOD 

A  land  of  promise,  and  fulfilment  too ; 

Where  on  a  sudden  olden  dreams  came  true. 

Man  was  man's  equal — unto  every  race 

The  path  was  levelled  to  the  highest  place. 

Here  grew  we  part  of  an  ennobled  state, 

Gave  and  won  honor,  sat  among  the  great, 

And  saw  unfolding  to  our  'raptured  view 

The  day  long  prayed  for  by  the  patient  Jew.     V 

Pause  thou,  my  song,  that  soarest  proud  and  high, 
Pause  thou  awhile,  lest  some  far-echoed  cry 
Reverberating  through  the  caves  of  time 
Destroy  the  structure  of  thy  vaulting  rhyme. 
A  pale  cadaver  with  lack-lustre  eyes, 
Touches  the  harp  and  stills  its  melodies. 

Russia,   thy  name  embitters  history, 

And  in  the  ages  that  are  yet  to  be, 

A  symbol  thou  for  all  the  world  holds  worst — 

Abhorred  of  heaven,  by  mankind  accursed. 

Prophetic  made  by  frenzy  of  our  grief, 

By  miseries  that  mount  beyond  belief, 

We  thee  consign  to  be  the  scorn  of  time, 

Shackled  forever  to  earth's  blackest  crime. 

The  long  forefinger  of  the  future  years 

Shall  point  thee  out  the  fountain-head  of  tears; 

Nor  ocean's  waters  may  efface  the  stain 

Branded  in  blood  on  thee — the  brand  of  Cain! 

Fain  turns  my  song  unto  some  fairer  note — 
We  guard  a  promise  voiced  in  days  remote, 
The  words  of  prophets,  and  our  deathless  hope, 
That  in  dark  hours  when  we  despairing  grope 
In  ever  clearer  accents  shall  be  heard : 
No  tyrant's  perfidy  may  kill  God's  word. 

Still  trembling,  in  the  valley,  in  the  gloom, 
About  us  frowning  rocks  strange  shapes  assume; 
But  unto  faith  that  fears  nor  wreck  nor  storm 
There  dawns  a  golden  day  that  shall  transform 

571 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

These  spectres  of  a  long  and  cruel  night 
To  ministering  friends  in  new-born  light, 
When  tried  by  travail  and  by  fire  and  rod 
We  shall  emerge,  unchanged,  to  face  our  God.. 

FELIX  N.  GERSON. 


The  Ghetto-Jew 

T   MARKED  in  the  midst  of  the  glittering  throng 

*       A  figure  all  bent  and  retreating; 

His  raiment  was  shabby,  and  bearded  his  face, 

His  gaze  was  bewildering  and  fleeting; 
And  those  whose  drossiness  glared  through  the  gilt 

Guffawed  a  contemptuous  greeting. 

Intently  I  peered  in  his  time  lined  face 
And  read  there  his  marvellous  story; 

His  brows  were  large  with  the  wisdom  of  pain, 
His  locks  by  affliction  .made  hoary; 

A  memory  lurked  in  the  depth  of  his  eyes, 
A  prayer  and  a  vision  of  glory. 

A  mem'ry  aglow  with  the  splendors  of  old, 

A  prayer  of  patience  and  yearning, 
And  a  vision  of  Home  that  gleamed  in  the  dark, 

Through  ages  of  weary  sojourning  ; 
Yet  they  of  the  gilded  and  glittering  throng 

Had  naught  but  derision  and  spurning. 

He  folded  a  dream  to  his  quivering  heart 

And  nursed  it  through  vigils  of  ages; 
He  gave  it  the  blood  of  his  life  to  absorb 

Yet  mockery  now  is  his  wages. 
Shall  this  be  the  word  his  story  to  close, 

A  jeer  be  the  last  of  its  pages? 

RUFUS  LEARSI. 


572 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Melting  Pot 

DEARDED  old  patriarchs,  flippant  young  men, 

*-^  Faces  from  synagogue,  tenement,  den, 

Native  and  foreign  and  Gentile  and  Jew — 

Faces  of  every  contour  and  hue — 

Bad  faces,  good  faces,  carved-out-of-wood  faces, 

Scarred  faces,  marred  faces,  tender  and  hard  faces. 

Clusters  and  bevies  of  trim  little  Jewesses, 

Telling  what  "Abie"  or  "Ikey"  or  "Louie"  says, 

Beauties  from  Italy,  Russia  and  France, 

Clad  in  their  gayest  of  clothes  for  a  dance; 

Hawksters  and  womenfolk  bargaining,  bickering, 

Polyglot,  clamoring,  bartering,  dickering 

Under  the  lights  that  are  flaring  and  flickering; 

Lovers  and  criminals,  preachers  and  panderers, 

Lawyers  and  pawnbrokers,  flashy  philanderers. 

Every  conceivable  garb  for  the  viewing — 

Rags  that  are  fluttering,  silks  all  f rou-f rouing  ; 

Here  shivers  misery,  near  by  we  have  a  new 

Modiste's  creation  as  "swell  as  the  Avenue" ; 

Hats  up  to  date  and  of  hoariest  lineage! 

Simpering  girls  at  the  utterly  ninny  age, 

Babies  in  arms  and  young  boys  at  the  skinny  age 

Mix  in  with  fat  men  and  beggars  a-muttering, 

Where  from  the  pushcarts  the  peddlers  are  sputtering 

Praises  unending  for  wares  they  are  vending; 

Furniture,  notions  and  kitchen  utensils, 

Suits,  furs  and  underwear,  pictures  and  pencils: 

Stores  all  ablaze  'mid  a  babble  that's  furious — 

Rich  people,  poor  people,  quaint  folks  and  curious, 

Painted  dames,  queens  of  a  doubtful  society, 

Folks  and  more  folks  in  an  endless  variety, 

Scions  of  different  nations  and  races 

Coming  and  going  from  thousands  of  places! 

Color  and  movement  and  bustle  and  noise, 

Mothers  and  fathers  and  maidens  and  boys, 

Glad  folks  and  sorrowful,  dreary  or  cheery, 

Beautiful,  horrible,  lively  or  weary, 

573 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Loving  and  hateful  and  sober  and  bleary, 
Glitter  and  grayness  and  laughter  and  pain, 
Passing,  repassing  and  passing  again. 
Life! — that  is  all,  with  its  mirth  and  its  toiling, 
Life — like  a  kettle  that's  bubbling  and  boiling, 
Under  the  glare  of  the  merciless  light — 
Heart  of  the  Ghetto  on  Saturday  night! 

BERTON  BRALEY. 

A  Call  to  the  Builders 

I 
X^E  may  not  rear  it  now, — though  some  aver 

The  eye  of  man  shall  see  it  where  it  stood, — 
The  glittering  House  of  God,  with  cedar-wood 
Well  builded,  and  with  olive  and  with  fir, 

Cunningly  carved   with   wide-winged  cherubim, 
And  flowers  full-blown,  and  palm-trees  fair  and  slim. 

The  ancient,  unforgetting  Eastern  sky — 
Blue  as  the  sapphire  in  the  breast-plate  set, 
That,  watching  waits,  may  not  behold  it  yet  ; 

Though  there  be  breasts  where  longing  will  not 

die; 

Though  still  Jerusalem's  holy  earth  be  shed, 
Dear  symbol,  o'er  the  unalienated  dead ! 

II 

Yet  unto  you,  O  sons  of  Israel! 

This  year,  this  day,  this  hour,  and  in  this  land, 
'Tis  given  to  lend  with  joy  the  helping  hand. 
To  rear  a  mighty  Temple  builded  well, 

Its  blocks  young  souls,  unhewn  yet  by  the  keen 
Steel  of  the  desecrating  world,  and  clean. 
Bring,  bring,  bright  gold,  and  melt  it  in  the  fire. 
So   shall   that  faithful   offering   overspread 
A  spiritual  altar,  be  ye  sure  ; 
So  to  the  strength  of  Israel  shall  aspire 

From  lamps  of  many  branches  flamelets  pure, 
The  light  of  lives  with  oil  of  knowledge  fed! 
HELEN  GRAY  CONE. 

574 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

O  Long  the  Way 

LONG  the  way  and  short  the  day, 

No  light  in  tower  or  town, 
The  waters  roar  and  far  the  shore, 
My  ship,  my  ship  goes  down. 

'Tis  all  in  vain  to  strive  again, 

My  cry  the  billows  drown, 
The  fight  is  done,  the  wind  has  won — 

My  ship,  my  ship  goes  down. 

Bid  sun  adieu!     Thou'lt  shine  anew, 

When  skies  no  longer  frown, 
But  I — the  deafening  billows  crash — 

My  ship,  my  ship  goes  down. 

MORRIS  ROSENFELD. 


The  Candle  Seller 

TN  Hester  Street,  hard  by  a  telegraph  post 

There  sits  a  poor  woman  as  wan  as  a  ghost. 
Her  pale  face  is  shrunk,  like  the  face  of  the  dead 
And  yet  you  can  tell  that  her  cheeks  once  were  red. 
But  love,  ease  and  friendship  and  glory,  I  ween, 
May  hardly  the  cause  of  their  fading  have  been. 
Poor  soul,  she  has  wept  so,  she  scarcely  can  see, 
A  skeleton  infant  she  holds  on  her  knee. 
It  tugs  at  her  breast,  and  it  whimpers  and  sleeps, 
But  soon  at  her  cry  it  awakens  and  weeps: 
"Two  cents  my  good  woman,  three  candles  will  buy, 
As  bright  as  their  flame  be  my  star  in  the  sky!" 
Tho'  few  are  her  wares,  and  her  basket  is  small 
She  earns  her  own  living  by  these,  when  at  all, 
She's  there  with  her  baby  in  wind  and  in  rain, 
In  frost  and  in  snow-fall,  in  weakness  and  pain ; 
She  trades  and  she  trades,  through  the  good  times  and 
slack, 

575 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

No  home  and  no  food,  and  no  cloak  to  her  back; 

She's  kirthless  and  kinless — one  friend  at  the  most 

And  that  one  is  silent:  the  telegraph  post! 

She  asks  for  no  alms,  the  poor  Jewess,  but  still 

Altho'  she  is  wretched,  forsaken  and  ill 

She  cries  Sabbath  candles  to  those  who  come  nigh 

And  all  that  she  pleads  is,  that  people  will  buy. 

To  honor  the  sweet  Sabbath,  each  one 

With  joy  in  his  heart  to  the  market  has  gone 

To  shops  and  to  pushcarts  they  hurriedly  go 

But  who  for  the  poor  wretched  woman  will  care? 

A  few  of  her  candles  you  think  they  will  take. 

They  seek  the  meat  patties,  the  fish  and  the  cake. 

She  holds  forth  a  hand  with  a  pitiful  cry; 

"Two  cents,  my  good  woman,  three  candles  will  buy!" 

But  no  one  has  listened,  and  no  one  has  heard; 

Her  voice  is  so  weak,  that  it  fails  at  each  word. 

Perchance  the  poor  mite  in  her  lap  understood, 

She  hears  mother's  crying — but  where  is  the  good? 

I  pray  you,  how  long  will  she  sit  there  and  cry 
Her  candles  so  feebly  to  all  that  pass  by? 
How  long  will  it  be,  do  you  think,  ere  her  breath 
Gives  out  in  the  horrible  struggle  with  Death? 
How  long  will  this  frail  one  in  mother-love  strong 
Give  suck  to  the  babe  at  her  breast?     Oh,  how  long? 
The  child  mother's  tears  used  to  swallow  before, 
But  mother's  eyes,  nowadays,  shed  them  no  more. 
Oh,  dry  are  the  eyes  now,  and  empty  the  brain, 
The  heart  well-nigh  broken,   the  breath   drawn  with 

pain. 

Yet  ever,  tho'  faintly,  she  calls  out  anew; 
"Oh  buy  but  two  candles,  good  woman  but  two!" 

In  Hester  Street  stands  on  the  pavement  of  stone, 
A  small  orphaned  basket,  forsaken,  alone. 
Besides  it  is  sitting  a  corpse,  cold  and  stark, 
The  seller  of  candles — will  nobody  mark? 
No,  none  of  the  passers  have  noticed  her  yet, 

576 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  rich  ones  on  feasting  are  busily  set, 
And  such  as  are  pious,  you  well  may  believe 
Have  no  time  to  spare  on  the  gay  Sabbath  eve. 
So  no  one  had  noticed  and  no  one  has  .seen, 
And  now  comes  the  night-fall  and  with  it  serene, 
The  Princess,  the  Sabbath,  from  Heaven  descends, 
And  all  the  gay  throng  to  the  synagogue  wends. 
Within  where  they  pray,  all  is  cleanly  and  bright; 
The  cantor  sings  sweetly,  they  list  with  delight. 
But  why  in  a  dream  stands  the  tall  chandelier, 
As  dim  as  the  candles  that  gleam  round  a  bier? 
The  candles  belonged  to  the  woman  you  know 
Who  died  in  the  street  but  a  short  time  ago. 
The  rich  and  the  pious  have  brought  them  tonight 
For  mother  and  child  they  have  set  them  alight. 
The  rich  and  the  pious  their  duty  have  done, 
Her  tapers  are  lighted  who  died  all  alone. 
The  rich  and  the  pious  are  nobly  behaved: 
A  body — what  matters  ?     But  souls  must  be  saved ! 

O  synagogue  lights,  be  ye  witnesses  bold, 
That  mother  and  child  died  of  hunger  and  cold 
Where  millions  are  squandered  in  idle  display ; 
That  men  all  unheeded,  must  starve  by  the  way. 
Then  hold  back  your  flame,  blessed  lights  hold  it  fast! 
The  great  day  of  judgment  will  come  at  last. 
Before  the  white  throne,  where  imposture  is  vain, 
Ye  lights  for  the  soul,  ye'll  be  lighted  again ! 
And  upward  your  flame  there  shall  mount  as  on  wings, 
And  damn  the  existing  false  order  of  things. 

MORRIS  ROSENFELD. 
The  Jewish  May 

has  come  from  out  the  showers, 
Sun  and  splendor  in  her  train. 
All  the  grasses  and  the  flowers 
Waken  up  to  life  again. 

577 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Once  again  the  leaves  do  show 
And  the  meadow's  blossoms  blow, 
Once  again  through  hills  and  dales 
Rise  the  songs  of  nightingales. 

Wheresoe'er  on  field  and  hillside, 

With  her  paint-brush  Spring  is  seen 
In  the  valley,  by  the  rillside, 

All  the  earth  is  decked  with  green. 
Once  again  the  sun  beguiles — 
Moves  the  drowsy  world  to  smiles. 
See!  the  sun  with  mother-kiss 
Wakes  her  child  to  joy  and  bliss. 

Now  each  human  feeling  presses 

Flower  like,  upward  to  the  sun, 
Softly  through  the  heart's  recesses 

Steal  sweet  fancies  one  by  one. 
Golden  dreams  t;heir  wings  outshaking 
Now  are  making 
Realms  celestial 

All  of  azure 
New  life  waking 

Bringing  treasure 

Out  of  measure 

For  the  soul's  delight  and  pleasure. 
Who  then,  tell  me,  old  and  sad, 

Nears  us  with  a  heavy  tread 
On  the  sward  in  verdure  clad, 
Lonely  is  the  strange  newcomer; 

Wearily  he  walks  and  slow, 
His  sweet  springtime  and  his  summer 

Faded  long  and  long  ago. 

Say,  who  is  it  yonder  walks 

Past  the  hedgerows  decked  anew, 

While  a  fearful  spectre  stalks 

By  his  side  thy  woodland  through — 

'Tis  our  ancient  friend  the  Jew! 

578 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

No  sweet  fancies  hover  round  him, 
Naught  but  terror  and  distress; 

Wounds  unhealed 

Where  lie  revealed 
Ghosts  of  former  recollections, 
Corpses,  corpses,  old  affections, 
Buried  youth  and  happiness. 

Bier  and  blossom  bow  to  meet  him 

In  derision  round  his  path; 
Gloomily  the  hemlocks  greet  him 

And  the  crow  screams  out  in  wrath. 
Strange  the  birds  and  strange  the  flowers, 

Strange  the  sunshine  seems  and  dim, 
Folk  on  earth  and  heavenly  powers! — 

Lo,  the  May  is  strange  to  him. 

Little  flowers,  it  were  meeter, 

If  ye  made  not  quite  so  bold ; 
Sweet  ye  are,  but  oh,  far  sweeter 

Knew  he  in  the  days  of  old. 
Oranges  by  thousands  blowing 

Filled  his  groves  on  either  hand, 
All  the  plants  were  God's  own  sowing 

In  his  far-off  happy  land. 

Ask  the  cedars  on  the  mountain, 

Ask  them  for  they  know  him  well! 
Myrtles  green  by  Sharon's  fountain 

In  whose  shade  he  loved  to  dwell. 
Ask  the  Mount  of  Olives  beauteous, — 

Ev'ry  tree  by  ev'ry  stream, 
One  and  all  will  answer  duteous 

For  the  fair  and  ancient  dream. 

O'er  the  desert  and  the  pleasance 

Gales  of  Eden  softly  blew, 
And  the  Lord  His  loving  Presence 

Evermore  declared  anew, 

579 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Angel  children  at  their  leisure, 

Played  in  thousands  round  His  tent 

Countless  thoughts  of  joy  and  pleasure 
Go  to  His  beloved  sent. 

There  in  bygone  days  and  olden 
From  a  wonderous  harp  and  golden 
Charmed  he  music  spirit-haunting, 
Holy,  chaste  and  soul-enchanting; 
Never  with  the  ancient  sweetness, 
Never  in  its  old  completeness 
Shall  it  sound ;  his  dream  is  ended 
On  a  willow  bough  suspended. 

Gone  that  dream  so  fair  and  fleeting! 

Yet  behold;  thou  dreamst  anew; 
Hark  a  new  May  gives  thee  greeting 

From  afar.     Dost  hear  it  Jew  ? 
Weep  no  more,  although  with  sorrows 

Bow'd  e'en  to  the  grave;  I  see 
Happier  years  and  brighter  morrows 

Dawning,  Israel,  for  thee! 
Hear'st  thou  not  the  promise  ring 
Where,  like  doves  on  silvery  wing, 
Thronging  cherubs  sweetly  sing, 
New  made  songs  of  what  shall  be? 

Hark!  your  olives  shall  be  shaken 

And  your  citrons  and  your  limes 
Filled  with  fragrance.  •  God  shall  waken, 

Lead  you  as  in  olden  times; 
In  the  pastures  by  the  river 

Ye  once  more  your  flocks  shall  tend, 
Ye  shall  live  and  live  forever 

Happy  lives  that  know  no  end. 
No  more  wandering,  no  more  sadness; 

Peace  shall  be  your  lot  and  still, 
Hero  hearts  shall  throb  with  gladness 

'Neath  Moriah's  silent  hill. 

580 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Nevermore  of  dread  affliction 

Or  oppression  need  ye  tell, 
Filled  with  joy  and  benediction 

In  the  old  home  ye  shall  dwell. 
To  the  fatherland  returning 

Following  the  homeward  path, 
Ye  shall  find  the  embers  burning 

Still  upon  the  ruined  hearth! 

MORRIS  ROSENFELD. 


"The  Light  in  the  Eyes'' 

The  light  of  the  eyes  rejoiceth  the  heart — Proverbs 
xv,  30. 

And  mine  heart  walked  after  mine  eyes — Job  xxxi,  7. 

A  S  down  the  age  he  shambles,  gaunt  and  gray, 
**  With  sorry  gait,  nor  one  to  bid  him  stay, 
We  mark  what  man  to  brother  man  may  do. 
The  shrivelled  skin,  the  Ghetto-gotten  hue, 
Time's  Tragedy  writ  large  upon  his  face 
The  old,  world-weary  epic  of  his  race; 

—Yet  see,  he  lifts  his  head  and  we  surprise 
Some  strange  swift  light  of  laughter  in  his  eyes. 

On  shoulders  still  the  burden  and  the  smart, 
While  Hope  fights  hard  to  live  in  Jewish  heart, 
Yet  not  for  him  the  Bitterness  and  Gall 
Though  Grief  stalk  with  him  to  the  Wailing  Wall, 
Give  him  a  crumb  of  joy,  and,  boyish-wise, 
There  leaps  the  light  of  laughter  to  his  eyes. 

The  crying  of  wild  voices  in  the  night, 

The  curses  and  the  struggle  and  the  flight, 

The  Bloody  Hand  of  Spain,  the  Cossack's  breath, 

The  Sacrifice  at  York,  the  Dance  to  Death  ; 

As  fiend  hath  done  so  fiend  will  still  devise, 

— Through  all  persists  brave  laughter — light  in  eyes. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

His  mirth,  sometimes,  hath  ghastly  hollow  ring, 

Elijah-like  its  grim,  ironic  fling, 

The  hate-engendered  jest  betrays  its  heat 

Nor  can  the  pulse  forever  calmly  beat ; 

But  ling'ring  'neath  the  fire  we  may  surmise 

Warm  ligjit  of  loving  laughter  in  his  eyes. 

Come  to  the  pious  purlieus  of  his  home, 

Here  Love  hath  wed  with  Laughter,  door  to  dome, 

The  troubles  that  beset  the  tiny  brood 

Respective,  vanish  'fore  that  bantering  mood. 

What  of  travail,  what  of  self-sacrifice 

If  Laughter-light  live  long  in  little  eyes? 

From  Hebron's  rill  the  music  long  hath  ceased, 
The  Temple  moulders  in  the  solemn  East, 
Yet  from  Siloa's  depth  men  still  may  drink 
Two  draughts  Israel  of  old  quaffed  from  its  brink — 
The  heart-young  love  of  life  that  never  dies, 
The  limpid  light  of  laughter  in  the  eyes! 

As  down  the  age  he  shambles,  grimed  and  gray, 

With  falt'ring  gait,  and  few  to  bid  him  stay, 

We  mark  what  man  hath  done  to  man,  the  Jew, 

The  shrunken  shape,  the  dark-begotten  hue; 

The  burden  of  his  snatch  of  sorry  song, 

"How  long,   O   Lord,"— the  plaint— "O   Lord,  how 

long?" 

Yet  wait! — nor  woe  nor  wail  shall  e'er   disguise 
Some  sure,  soft  light  of  laughter  in  his  eyes. 

OSCAR  LOEB, 


"Yes,  He's  a  Jew" 

ES,  he's  a  Jew" — and  then  you  shook  your  head 
As  though  the  worst  of  all  had  just  been  said ; 
As  though  that  word  expressed  the  height  of  crime, 
The  depth  of  shame,  the  lowest  moral  slime. 

582 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Yet,  when  you  use  that  term  reproach  to  cast 
You  show  your  ignorance  of  what  the  past 
To  student  eyes  reveals ;  how  Moses  led 
In  safety  through  the  desert  them  that  fled 
From  Egypt's  bondage;  how  he  planned  the  laws 
That  after  ages  hailed  with  loud  applause 
To  guide  the  race  in  whom  no  power  subdued 
Their  loyalty  to  God ;  aye,  from  that  brood — 
That  storm-tossed  people,  oft  enslaved  in  chains, 
Have  sprung  a  line  of  men,  in  arms  and  brains 
The  peers  of  any — white,  or  black,  or  brown ; 
Whose  deeds  in  camp  or  court  e'er  won  renown. 
When  Celt,  or  Gaul,  and  Saxon  chased  the  deer, 
And  slew  their  prey  with  simple  bow  and  spear, 
And  dwelt  in  holes  in  hillsides,  like  the  lairs 
Of  prowling  beasts,  and  naught  of  fame  was  theirs, 
The  Jew   in   Orient  lands  had   read   the   stars, 
Had  loved  with  Venus,  and  had  fought  with  Mars ; 
Had  won  with  voice  and  sword  the  crown  of  fame. 
In  field  and   forum  earned  an  honored  name. 
And  when  the  Celt  and  Saxon  ruled  the  world, 
And  the  blue  smoke  from  peaceful  chimneys  curled, 
Beside  the   generation  that   was  new 
There  walked  the  scion  of  the  ancient  Jew. 
When  foes  harassed  and  threatened  Britain  Great 
A  Jew's  hand  'twas  that  steered  the  ship  of  State, 
And  when  the  bugle  sounded  war's  alarm 
And  myriad  men  from  factory  and  farm 
Took  up  the  sword  to  keep  this  Nation  whole, 
The  names  of  loyal  Jews  were  on  the  roll. 
"Yes ;  he's  a  Jew,"  O  pigmy  of  a  clan 
What  say  you  when  'tis  said  "Yes,  he's  a  Man"? 
Does  not  that  statement  cover  all  the  test 
That  can  of  any  mortal  be  expressed? 
Hark  you — you  simple-headed  bigot  hear 
A  whispered  caution  in  your  dullard  ear: 
Do  you  know  that  Christ,  of  whom  you  sue 
Forgiveness,  was  a  persecuted  Jew? 

JOHN  PAUL  COSGRAVE. 

583 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  Jew   to    the   Gentile 

""THE  priest  bent  angry  gaze  upon  the  Jew, 

"What  base  ingratitude.     Shame,  shame  that  you 
Who  love  the  Father,  should  deny  His  Son. 
Christ,  Jesus,  is  Divine,  with  God  is  one. 
His  coming  was  foretold.     His  glorious  birth, 
A  miracle,  His  gentle  life  on  earth. 

An  inspiration  and  His  body  bled 

For  us,  that  through  His  death  our  souls  be  led 

To  God.     He  died  for  us.     Oh,  stiff-necked  race, 

Forever  shall  the  glory  of  God's  face 

Be  turned  from  you.     Christ  is  the  Lord.     Take  heed. 

Confess  Him  and  from  all  your  sins  be  freed." 

And  swift  the  Jew  replied :  "  'Christ  is  the  Lord !' 
You  forced  upon  the  world  with  rack  and  sword. 
Your  sins  are  legion.     Oh,  the  awful  moan 
Of  babes  and  mothers,  maids  and  men  and  youth 
Who  died  because  they  dared   refuse  the  truth 
You  claimed.     For  these  things  how  can  you  atone, 
How  ease  your  burdened  conscience,  how  forget 
The  needless  misery  you  caused? 

"And  yet 

Although  you  maimed  us  with  the  scourge  and  flame 
And  tortured  and  reviled  us  'in  His  name'; 
We  reach  our  arms  in  friendliness  to  you 
And  plead   for  peace.     We   are  God's  children,   too, 
Have  known  the  love  and  mercy  in  the  Face 
He  turned  to  us,  His  priests  and  chosen  race, 
'Acknowledge  Christ,'  you  say,  'and  save  your  soul. 
Confess  our  creed.     This  is  the  only  toll 
Required  to  enter  heaven  and  from  sin 
Be  freed.'     'Serve  thou  no  other  God  but  Me 
And  love  your  fellowmen.'     This  is  our  key 
To  life.     We  love  the  Father,  He  is  One. 
We  need  no  mediator.     'Christ,  the  Son,' 

584 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Was  but  God's  child  like  all  of  us.     His  kin, 

The  atheist,  agnostic,  Jew  and  Turk 

And  Christian.     And  his  equal,  all  who  shirk 

No  sacrifice  for  fellowmen.     Some  may 

Not  hold  like  creed  with  you.     For  one  will  say 

He  worships  Reason.     One  doubts  Christ  is  King. 

One  calls  God,  allah.     Does  that  matter?     Fling 

Afar  your  doctrine.     Cast  aside  your  fears, 

Seek  out  the  wreeping  ones  and  dry  their  tears. 

The  sick,  the  halt,  the  sinner  and  the  blind, 

Oh,  pity  them  and  love  them  and  be  kind. 

For,  after  all,  the  helpful  human  deed 

By  Christian,  Turk  or  Jew  to  one  in  need 

Can  bring  more  souls  to  God  than  all  man's  creed." 

SARA  MESSING  STERN. 


The  Yellow  Badge 

LJUNDREDS  of  years  agone,  my  brothers, 
1  A  And  yet  not  so  long  ago, 
They  bound  on  our  arms  a  yellow  shame 
The  seal  of  their  scorn  for  us  of  the  Name, 
And  laughed  at  our  deep-sunk  woe. 

Hundreds  of  years  are  past  my  brothers, 
And  the  world  sweeps  on  to  its  goal ; 
We  walk  the  streets  with  a  master's  tread 
And  the  fear  we  lived  in  is  long  since  dead, 
But  the  badge  we  wear  in  our  soul. 

Aye,  the  centuries  long  of  cringing,  brothers, 

Lest  worse  than  the  fear  might  fall, 
Have  broken  the  back  of  our  freeman's  pride 
And  the  terror  of  those  who  were  cursed,  and  died 
Lives  on  in  us  one  and  all. 

What  could  they  do  of  old,  my  brothers? 
They  killed  us  like  sheep  and  then? 

585 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

We  waited  for  death  in  an  ecstasy, 
As  the  unfelt  pang  that  should  set  us  free, 
And  give  us  our  life  again. 

Ah!  We  live  easily  now,  my  brothers, 

A  snug,  complacent  crew 
With  wealth  and  culture  at  our  command 
And  the  friendly  glance  and  the  outstretched  hand 

Of  those  who  mocked  us  and  slew. 

And  we  walk  warily  now,  my  brothers, 

With  an  eye  cast  round  to  view 
Lest  the  Past  that  is  in  us  may  lift  its  head, 
Betray  to  the  world  we  love  and  dread, 

"Behold!     This  is  a  Jew." 

We  must  love  with  the  times,  we  say,  my  brothers, 

And  the  times  are  broad  and  free, 
We  too  belong  to  the  Brotherhood 
We  shout,  lest  it  be  not  understood: 

"Liberal  Jews"  are  we. 

Liberal  minds,  indeed,  my  brothers, 

Hating  with  petty  hate 

Each  other,  our  past,  and  the  names  we  bear, 
Quarreling  meanly  to  snatch  our  share 

Of  the  gold  that  we  think  makes  great. 

O  God,  the  yellow  badge,  my  brothers, 

Is  graven  on  Israel's  heart; 

And  we  render  our  language,  our  symbols,  our  songs, 
Our  honor,  our  martyrs,  aye,  even  our  wrongs 

For  a  smile  on  our  neighbour's  part. 

In  our  Father's  name  arise,  my  brothers, 
Let  us  tear  the  shame  from  our  souls, 
We  shall  rend  ourselves  and  the  wounds  will  bleed 
But  the  hurt  and  blood  are  our  right  and  meed ; 
They  will  heal  us  and  make  us  whole. 

586 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Let  us  turn  our  eyes  to  the  East,  my  brothers, 

Where  under  the  sunshine  lies 
The  land  that  is  ours  in  every  sod, 
The  gift  of  the  King,  our  fathers'  God, 

To  His  children  and  allies. 

Then  will  we  live  and  work,  my  brothers, 

And  cleanse  away  our  stain, 
The  ignoble  and  base  forgot 
With  the  daily  frettings  of  scheme  and  plot, 

We  shall  stand  upright  again. 

Come,  ere  it  be  too  late,  my  brothers, 
And  our  just  doom  strikes  us  down, 

And  naught  remain  but  a  pinch  of  dust, 

A  flash  of  gold  and  a  sword  a-rust, 
Of  the  people  God  called  His  Crown. 

RUTH  SCHECHTER  ALEXANDER. 


A  Tribute  to  the  Jews 

CINCE  Terah's  son  from  Chaldea  went, 
*^  On  Manfred's  plains  to  spread  his  tent, 
The  Jewish  race  in  every  age 
Illumines  the  historic  page. 

In  ages  dim,  long  past  and  gone, 
The  Hebrew  warrior  victories  won, 
Ere  Priam's  son  in  battle  stood, 
Or  Roman  soldier  shed  his  blood. 

The  ancient  Seer,  in  dreamy  trance, 
The  past  had  seen  in  mystic  glance, 
And  in  the  flaming  bush  had  heard 
The  voice  of  God — Almighty's  word. 
On  Sinai's  mount,  'mid  thunders  loud* 
From  cavern  dark,  and  curtaining  cloud 

587 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Mysterious  voices  to  him  came 
In  which  he  heard  Jehovah's  name; 
And  in  the  clefted  rock  he  saw 
The  Spirit  of  Eternal  Law. 

The  history  of  this  people  old, 
By  poet  writ  and  prophet  told, 
Gives  pictures  grand  of  highest  thought, 
From  realms  of  inspiration  caught; 
Whether  writ  with  pen  of  living  fire, 
Or  told  in  words  of  burning  ire; 
Whether  an  Isaiah  sternly  warns, 
Or  Jeremiah  weeping  mourns; 

Whether  Daniel  warning  gives  to  kings 
Or  the  lone  captive  sadly  sings 
Beneath  the  willow  trees  upon 
The  streams  that  flow  by  Babylon ; 
Whether  David  sings  a  hymn  of  praise, 
Or  Job  laments  his  darkened  days; 
They  all,  in  lofty  numbers  tell 
Of  thoughts  sublime,  that  only  dwell 
In  minds  inspired  by  living  beams 
That  wake  to  life  the  poet's  dreams.  JO 

Dark  was  the  day,  and  sad  the  hour, 
When  Judea  passed  to  Roman  power! 
Her  old  men  sighed,  her  maidens  wept, 
When  havoc  o'er  Jerusalem  swept ; 
And  smouldering  ruins,  stained  with  blood, 
Told  where  her  sacred  Temple  stood. 

And  darker  still,  in  after  time, 
When  scattered  far,  in  every  clime, 
Against  her  wandering  children  rose 
The  persecuting  hand  of  foes, 
Inspired  by  blind,  malignant  hate, 
Which  centuries  long  did  not  abate, 
Which  still  in  this  enlightened  day, 
Has  not  entirely  passed  away; 

588 


THE    MODERN   PERIOD 

And,  yet  for  all,  though  scattered  wide 
On  every  shore  where  rolls  the  tide, 
Her  children  e'er  preserved  the  name 
That  told  from  whence  their  fathers  came; 
And  worshipped  still  the  Great  Unknown, 
As  to  the  ancient  Patriarch  shown. 

The  gloomy  ages  testify 

To  what  they  did  in  times  gone  by, 

In  learned  science,  and  the  part 

They  acted  in  the  realms  of  art, 

While  wandering  o'er  the  face  of  earth, 

Far  from  the  land  that  gave  them  birth. 

The  student  of  historic  lore, 
As  slow  he  turns  the  pages  o'er, 
Upon  its  musty  leaves  will  see 
Semitic  names  of  high  degree; 
In  many  a  dim  and  blotted  line, 
The  Maccabsean  warriors  shine, 
And  bright  and  lustrous,  too,  he  sees 
The  name  of  famed  Maimonides. 

And  modern  times  bear  witness,  too, 

To  what  the  sons  of  Israel  do — 

Disraeli  fills  a  shining  place 

In  the  history  of  the  Saxon  race  ; 

And  Benjamin  high  honors  won 

In  the  Senate  Halls  of  Washington ; 

Montefiore  long  will  stand 

An  honored  name  in  every  land ; 

The  Baron  Hirsch  long,  long  will  be 

Remembered  by  humanity ; 

While  now,  to-day,  the  Bernhardt's  name 

Is  clothed  in  histrionic  fame ! 

While,  though  the  Jews  no  country  claim, 
And,  as  a  nation,  have  no  name, 
They  still  retain,  where'er  they  be, 
Their  ancient  skill  and  energy; 

589 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  whereso'er  on  earth  they  live 
Obedience  to  the  laws  they  give, 
And  merit  well  an  honored  place 
'Mong  children  of  a  foreign  race. 

The  Christ,  who  gave  the  Christians  name, 
And  a  redeeming  Saviour  came 
To  the  transgressing  sons  of  earth, 
Was  of  an  humble  Jewish  birth; 
And,  furthermore,  the  sacred  book, 
From  which  their  creeds  the  Christians  took, 
And  on  whose  truths  their  faith  they  base, 
Sprang  from  the  ancient  Jewish  race. 

Then  honored  be  that  glorious  race, 
Whose  genius  still  on  earth  finds  place, 
While  classic  Greece  has  passed  away, 
And  Rome  has  lost  her  ancient  sway; 
And  shame  on  him  who  would  withhold 
The  credit  due  this  people  old, 
Whoe'er  have  played  such  active  part 
In  science,  literature  and  art. 

RUFUS  C.  HOPKINS. 


At  Ellis  Island 

A  CROSS  the  land  their  long  lines  pass; 
^^  More  souls  come  to  us  sun  by  sun — 
Each  ship  a  city  as  she  rides, — 

Than  manned  the  march  of  Washington. 

From  ancient  States  where  burdens  lie 

Extortionate  upon  the  poor, 
Men  rise  like  flocks  from  leafless  woods, 

Their  flight  a  shadow  at  our  door. 

A  shadow  passing  life  by  life, 

Into  the  morrow  of  our  race; 
What  know  we  of  the  unseen  minds? 

These  hands  are  riches,  we  embrace. 

590 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

What  common  thought  so  many  moves! 

Our  laws  with  Liberty  are  brave; 
Beneath  them  men  will  take  content 

A  wage,  a  lodging,  and  a  grave. 

Strange  to  each  other  as  to  us, 
The  races  of  the  world  are  ours; 

No  sleepless  frontiers  here  impede 
A  secret  ballot's  sacred  powers. 

Ye  patient  aliens!     Sifting  in 

Where  trades  a  fateful  welcome  burn 

Bequeath  your  children  what  you  find — 
A  land  to  which  all  peoples  turn. 

MARGARET  CHANLER  ALDRICH. 

Ellis  Island 

HTHREE  thousand  miles  of  Atlantic  seas  and  a  throb 

that  cuts  the  top, 
The  rushed  four-funneled   fleeting  ship,  that,  without 

curb  or  stop, 
Hurls  on,  while  Earth  ten  times  rolls  round  till,  under 

morning  stars, 
She  breasts  the  mist  of  a  continent  and  slows  at  the 

groaning  bars! 

And  lo,  three-layered  Humanity  in  her  steerage  bunks 

asleep, 
Rising  at  dawn  and  crowding  aft,  and  in  the  infinite 

sweep 
Of  gray — the  sea,  the  sky,— see  dim,  dream  greatened 

and  gigantic, 
America,  America,  uprisen  from  the  Atlantic! 

Swift  on  dead  centuries  of  faces  a  sun  flames,  ere  the 
Sun 

Blows  the  blue  bubble  of  the  heavens  vast — yea,  flam- 
ing one  by  one, 

591 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

These  faces  are  a  psalm  to  God — a  morning  hymn — the 

sea, 
The  sky,  the  land  are  a  living  Temple  with  a  thousand 

Souls  set  free. 

Swing  them  the  uplifted,  crowded  people  in  transport 
to  our  Isle — 

Morning  with  strong  sun  and  sweet  gales  and  the  Bay's 
yeasty  mile, 

Like  hands  holds  forth  a  glorious  City — her  smoke's 
sky-swimming  shoals, 

Her  flight  of  cliffs,  her  range  of  peaks  all  honey- 
combed with  Souls! 

O,  come  through  the  Ellis  Island  Gates — O  rush  the 

sweet  routine, 
Sweep  to  new  birth  on  a  planet  new — for  lo,  at  the 

wire  screen 
Of  the  waiting  cage,   the  American   clutch- — yea,   as 

starved  people  stare, 
Watching  your  alien  faces  pass  to  see  if  one  be  there. 

Yonder   old    trembling   man   three    hours   has   stood! 

Through  the  shuffling  crowd 
A   pink-shawled   withered   old   woman   shambles   over 

her  baggage  bowed ; 
He  pales;  he  cries  her  name;  she  bursts  into  his  arms; 

the  years 
Melt  back  into  the  glory  of  youth,  still  seen  through 

blinding  tears. 

Old  Woman — strong  girls,  swart  men,  soft  babes—- 
you hordes  across  seas  hurled, 

O  pioneers,  as  one  dares  Death,  you  dare  a  great  new 
World ! 

You  bring  strong  blood,  and  Faith,  and  Love,  stout 
hearts  and  homely  traits — 

What  shall  our  country  do  with  you — deal  out  what 
Dooms,  what  Fates? 

592 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Shall  we  judge  by  your  alien  ways,  and  lose  the  gifts 

that  are  all  our  own? 
Or  shall  we  rise  to  grander  heights  than  Earth  has 

ever  known  ? 
Yea,  shall  we  seize  on  you  with  love,  far-building  on 

our  trust? 
Are  we  great  enough  to  swing  to  God  what  Europe 

trailed  in  dust? 

O  our  America,  O  Mother,  great  have  you  been,  our 

hearts 
Are  yours,   our   faith   and   love   are  yours — great   are 

your  trades  and  arts, 
Your  Men — fail  not!     Earth  looks  to  you,  her  vast 

Experiment  Station, 
To  test  if  souls  may  be  borne  to  God  in  the  arms  of  a 

Mother-Nation ! 

Shun    not    the    Mission!     Fearless,    fearless    mother, 

Earth's  mightiest  race — 
Yea,  seize  your  flashing  stars  and  stripes  and  stamp 

across  the  face 
That  word,  the  strongest  in  our  tongue,  that  sums  the 

skies  deep-starred, 
The  grain  of  sand,  the  Earth,  the  Soul,  our  country — 

the  word  "God!" 

JAMES  OPPENHEIM. 

At  the  Gate 

'"FHEY  drive  me  out  of  my  country, 

They  thrust  me  out  of  my  land, 
They  call  me  an  alien — I 

Who  had  fought  in  the  foreign  band. 

On  the  ice  of  the  Amur  River, 

I  and  the  starving  few, 
And  my  country  paid  me  with  curses 

And  called  me  an  alien  Jew. 

593 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

They  worship  the  Jew  in  the  churches, 
They  murder  the  Jew  in  the  street ; 

He  taught  them  to  love  and  to  pity, 
His  kindred,  they  murder  and  beat. 

His  name  they  honor  and  glory, 

His  teachings  they  rarely  do; 
He  cometh!     The  Russian  will  mock  Him — 

He,  too,  was  an  alien  Jew. 

How  long!     Oh,  how  long!  is  the  wailing 

Till  Russia  is  judged  at  Thy  bar—- 
With Egypt  and  Spain  and  with  Asshur 
Till  Russia  shall  stand  where  they  are? 

See,  the  finger  of  God  is  writing, 

Blasting  the  murdering  crew; 
See,  the  Pole  and  the  Finn  and  the  Cossack 

And  the  God  of  the  alien  Jew. 

They  drive  me  out  of  my  country, 

To  a  foreign  land  I  go; 
They  trained  me  to  be  a  soldier, 

They  teach  me  to  be  their  foe. 

Their  training  will  go  with  their  teaching — 
This  tongue  of  mine  speaks  true ; 

When  the  foes  are  crowding  upon  her 
They'll  be  led  by  the  alien  Jew. 

NATHAN  F.  SPIELVOGEL. 


The  Magic  Words 

"""THE  scene  of  conflict  was  a  level  plain 

That  lay  among  the  stretching  hills  of  Spain, 
And  on  the  sand  that  glistened  in  the  sun, 
Ten  thousand  lay,  whose  hours  of  life  had  run, 

594 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

'Till  noonday's  heat,  from  earliest  sign  of  dawn, 
The  battling  forces  were  in  combat  drawn, 
And  ere  the  sun  sank  in  the  silent  West, 
A  host  of  men  had  found  eternal  rest. 

Behind  the  battle-field,  beneath  a  tent, 

A  soldier  lay,  on  death  his  vision  bent, 

A  kindly  Priest,  that  spoke  of  God,  was  near, 

A  Doctor,  he  was  there,  but  full  of  fear. 

Each  was  a  Jew,  had  each  a  Hebrew's  zeal, 
But  neither  dared  his  name  or  race  reveal. 
But  death  had  robbed  them  of  their  mortal  fears, 
Here  in  his  shadow  they  could  spend  their  tears. 

"Shemang  Yisrael,"  the  dying  soldier  breathed, 
His  face,  in  death,  with  smiles  all  wreathed. 
"Adonai  Elohenoo,"  said  piously  the  man  of  God; 
The  Doctor  murmured,  "Adonai  Echod." 

The  Priest  reached  out,  and  grasped  the  Doctor's  hand, 
These  magic  wrords  had  forged  a  mighty  band, 
And  then  upon  the  Doctor's  bosom  lay  his  head, 
And  wept.     The  soldier  now,  alas !  was  dead. 

MELVIN  G.  WINSTOCK. 


Shema  Yisrael  Adonay-Elohainu 
Adonay-Echod 

«C  HEMA  YISRAEL,"  is  the  lesson  we  learn 

In  the  earliest  days  of  our  youth. 
"Adonay  Elohainu,"  the  Lord  is  our  God, 
How  precious  and  blessed  this  truth! 
"It  never  can  fail; 
Shema  Yisrael!" 

595 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Adonay  Elohainu,"  this  is  our  God 

And  ours  forever  shall  be. 

Through  life  he  will  bless  us,  in  death  be  our  guide 
Till  "Shalom" — "Peace  eternal" — we  see. 
Through  Him  we  prevail; 
"Shema  Yisrael!" 

"Shema  Yisrael,"  'tis  our  mission  alone, 

"Adonay  Echod"  to  proclaim 
The  Lord  everlasting  shall  reign  o'er  the  earth 
And  "One"  be  forever  His  name. 
The  future  we  hail ; 
"Shema  Yisrael!" 

IBBIE  McCoLM  WILSON. 


Be  Thou  a  Jew 

thou  a  Jew!     Let  oppressors  scoff 
And  jeer  who  will.     But  be  thou  steadfast, 
And  thy  firm  faith  shall  be  to  thee  a  shield, 
Impenetrable   and   invincible, 
Against  thine  enemies. 

Be  thou  a  Jew! 

Thy  people  are  the  Chosen  Ones,  for  God 
Will  ever  champion  the  cause  of  Right; 
And  though  storms  of  adversity  compel 
Thy  faith  to  waver,  hold  thy  grasp — 
For  brighter,  better  days  are  yet  to  come. 

SAMUEL  E.  LOVEMAN. 


The  Chosen 

CHOSEN  of  old,  the  guardians  of  the  Law 

(God's    word    to    mortals,    cleaving    right    from 

wrong)  ; 

Destined  to  serve  the  world ;  its  priestly  race 
Kept  for  that  service  strong. 

596 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Guarded  of  God  through  war  and  wilderness ; 

Holding  the  truth  no  other  people  saw; 
First  of  the  nations  to  declare  Him  One; 

First  to  revere  His  Law! 

Down  from  the  ages  of  triumphant  rule, 
Through  the  lost  glory  of  a  line  of  kings, 

Bruised  and  lamenting  in  their  brokenness — 
God  heard  their  murmurings. 

Scoffed  at,  they  held  their  peace  and  overcame, 
Crowded  by  hate  into  the  Ghetto's  pale, 

Sounded  to  Heaven  their  deathless  harmony, 
Born  of  a  people's  wail. 

Wide  through  the  world  that  grief-born  music  rang, 
Hailed  with  a  reverence  to  themselves  denied  ; 

Caged  in  the  wall  by  tyrants  built,  they  sang, 
Flinging  their  genius  wide. 

Out  of  the  prisons  of  the  Middle  Age, 

Out  of  the  reeking  slums,  they  gave  the  light; 

Thinkers  of  lofty  thought,  ordained  of  God, 
Prophets  to  point  the  right. 

By  their  unfetterable  dreams  of  youth, 

Joined  to  the  genius  that  their  race  imbues, 

Chains  have  been  sundered  till  to-day  remain 
Few  barriers  round  the  Jews. 

History  emblazons  them  in  bondage  great, 

Splendid  in  art,  philosophy  and  song, 
Now  in  awed  wonder  does  the  world  await 

The  freedom  of  the  strong. 

ELIZABETH  McMuRTRiE  DINWIDDIE. 


597 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

God's  Chosen  People 

IN  the  sadness  of  your  eyes 
*•   I  see  the  grief  of  ages; 

Your  voices  throb 

With  the  sob 
Of  hearts  forever  still. 
Yet  yours  the  soul  of  sages — 

You  are  alive, 

Tho'  nations  strive 
Your  cup  of  pain  to  fill: 

Yet  you   call  yourselves   God's   Chosen  People, 
Yet  you   humbly  bow  to   God's  Great  Will. 

In  your  tills  you  hoard  your  gold, 
In  dread  of  gloomy  morrow; 

In  fear  of  fire, 

Tyrant's  ire, 

And  sword  of  those  who  spill 
Your  blood,  and  bring  you  sorrow! 

A  hunted  race, 

Fell  fate  you  face, 
When  foes  are  out  to  kill: 

Yet  you   call  yourselves  God's  Chosen  People, 
Yet  you  humbly  bow  to   God's  Great  Will. 

On  this  soil  of  Man's  free  rights, 
I  would  not  have  your  riches! 

Your  pomp  and  pride, 

None  can  bide. 

Your  wives  in  flounce  and  frill,. 
Their  Eastern  charm  bewitches  .  .  . 

And  yet  my  breast, 

Remains  at  rest, 
Nor  does  with  envy  thrill: 

But  oh!  teach  me  your  faith,  you  strange  people, 
Teach  me  to  humbly  bow  to  God's  Great  Will. 

Adapted  by  Joel  Blau. 
598 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Our  Password 

"MTO  hate  can  stifle  our  religion's  birth, 

*  ^   This  gift  eternal,  like  the  stars  that  shine 

Point  heavenwards,  yet  light  each  clod  of  earth, 

Our  footsteps  press,  when  care  and  sorrow  line 
The  groping  paths  of  life ;  our  souls  shall  knead 

The  visions  of  the  past,  the  day's  desire, 
And  all  that  beautifies  our  simple  creed 

In  one  eternal,  and  ethereal  fire! 
The  flame  that  vivifies  the  Jewish  race, 

That  consecrates  the  joys  of  common  life, 
Which  time's  corrosive  touch  can  ne'er  efface, 

The  boon  in  toil,  the  sweetness  in  the  strife, 
The  truth  that  animates  like  Heaven's  sun, 
Our  prayer  in  life  and  death  that  God  is  One. 

ISIDORE  G.  ASCHER. 

Only  a  Jew 

MOBODY  cares,  for  he's  only  a  Jew, 
•      Crush  him  with  vengeance  in  sight  of  the  cross! 
All  of  his^  allies  are  feeble  and  few, 
Vice  is  his  jewel  and  virtue  his  dross. 

Only  a  Jew,  like  the  prophets  of  yore, 

Bearing  with  patience  his  burdens  and  wrongs; 
Leader  of  liberty,  maker  of  law, 

Singing  with  David  the  sweetest  of  songs. 

Only  a  Jew,  with  his  epics  and  art, 
Charming  the  ages  with  music  divine; 

Ravage  his  fireside  and  shiver  his  heart, 

'Till  he  partakes  of  the  bread  and  the  wine. 

Only  a  Jew — like  the  loved  Nazarene, 
Full  of  forgiveness  and  pity  for  all; 

Giving  them  alms  with  a  hand  that's  unseen, 
Lifting  the  weak  when  they  totter  and  fall. 

599 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Only  a  Jew  in  the  reign  of  thought, 

Winning  his -way  in  the  ranks  of  the  great; 

Marvels  of  beauty  his  genius  has  wrought, 
Cannot  be  blighted  by  passion  or  hate. 

DAVID  BANKS  SICKLES. 


"Jew" 

CILENT  and  wise  and  changeless, 
^T    Stamped  with  the  Orient  still; 
In  many  a  country  nameless — 
In  every  land  a  Will. 

Master  of  two  things  is  he, 

Self,  and  the  Power  of  Gold. 
He  thinks — the  World  is  busy; 

They  bargain — he  has  sold ! 

Lord  of  the  Marts  of  Nations 

Where  the  World's  wide  commerce  plies — 
Master  of  infinite  Patience, 

Slandered  by  infinite  Lies! 

Towering,  fair-haired  Norseman, 

Tartar  at  Novgorod, 
Black-eyed  Arab  horseman 

Zulu  chief  unshod — 

All  borrow  for  War  or  trading 
And  promise  with  oaths  not  new; 

All  turn,  with  the  danger  fading, 
And  sneer  at  the  lender — "Jew'" 

GEORGE  VAUX  BACON. 


600 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Recognition 

CO — you  have  "recognized"  the  Jew? 

^  Then — just  perchance — you  may  have  noticed,  too, 

And  "recognized"  the  hills  that  pierce  the  sky 

And  hold  their  heads  in  pure,   star-studded   blue, 

Whose  heights  command  your  plains  which  dully  lie, 

And  dare  not  dream.     You  "recognized,"  perhaps, 

The  dark,  thick  shade  of  forests,  aeons  old ; 

The  mellow  splendor  of  the  moon  that  wraps 

The  night  in  glory,  and  the  ruddy  gold 

That  lies  deep  hidden  in  the  pregnant  earth 

Perhaps  you  "recognize."     The  liquid  mirth 

And  tender  passion  of  a  mountain  stream 

You  "recognize";  the  potence  of  a  dream 

May  still  be  "recognized" — who  knows? — by  you, 

Since,  wisely,  now  you  "recognize"  the  Jew. 

MIRIAM  TEICHNER. 


Is  It  True? 

CAID  the  child  of  the  bright  yellow  hair 
-  To  the  child  of  the  coal  black  curls; 
"I  do  not  think  it  is  fair 

For  we  little  Christian  girls 
To  play  with  the  girls  like  you ; 

For  our  Sunday-school  teacher — See? 
Says  your  father  is  only  a  Jew; 

An'  the  Jews  nailed  Christ  on  the  tree." 
The  great  black  eyes  filled  with  tears 

As  the  child  with  the  dark,  dark  hair 
Said:  "But  that  was  hundreds  of  years 

Ago;  an'  7  don't  think  it  is  fair 
To  blame  us  girls  with  the  pain 

That  was  given  to  Jesus  by  men 
That  we  didn't  know.     And  it's  vain — 

So  my  mamma  says,  to  preten' 
That  any  one  church  is  the  best. 

601 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

We're  as  nicely  behaved  as  you, 
An'  our  dollies  as  prettily  dre'ssed ; 
An'  my  mamma  always  says  true." 

So  they  quarreled  and  parted  with  eyes 
Flashing  anger  and  tears.     In  the  heart 

Of  the  yellow-haired  child  would  rise 
Unbidden — a  pain  like  a  dart. 

That  night  she  knelt  by  her  bed — 

As  she  did  every  night — to  pray, 
She  threw  back  her  wee  bright  head 

And  her  eyes  looked  up  and  away — 
Oh  far,  far  away  at  the  sky 

Through  the  unshaded  window  glass; 
And  she  said:  "Dear  Lord,  if  I  die 

In  my  sleep  may  my  spirit  pass 
To  you  like  an  angel ;  and  wear 

A  little  gold  crown  of  my  own ; 
And — my  dear  doll — I  want  her  there, 

'Cause  I  hate  to  be  there  all  alone." 

Then  she  paused  a  little  and  said : 

"Lord — if   Elsie  was  only  like  me, 
A  Christian,  too,  when  she's  dead 

I  think  I  would  like  to  see 
Her  also;  but  she  cannot  go 

'Cause  her  fore-fathers — teacher  said — 
Were  nothing  but  Jews  and  so 

That  settles  it."     Then  on  the  bed 
The  bright  little  one  sank  to  sleep, 

But  a  wee  small  voice  in  her  breast 
Seemed  ever  to  rouse  her  and  keep 

Her  feverish  pulses  from  rest. 

She  dreamed  that  out  of  the  skies 
A  great,  white  cross  rose  to  view; 

And  Jesus  looked  at  her  with  eyes 
Like  Elsie's — and  said:  "I'm  a  Jew." 

MARIE  HARROLD  GARRISON. 

602 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

In  the  Hour  of  Need 

1~VYE  see  that  shop  at  the  corner,  with  the  three  balls 

*-^  over  the  door? 

A  pawnshop?  Yes,  it  is,  my  lad — just  that,  and  noth- 
ing more, 

Nothing  remarkable  in  that?     You  see  'em  every  day? 

No  doubt  you  do.  But  wait  a  bit,  and  let  me  say 
my  say. 

Four  months  ago  my  little  wife  was  ill  as  she  could 

be; 
I  thought  I  should  have  lost  her,  but  you  see  'she  is 

still  with  me: 
I  owe  her  life  to  him,  my  lad!     To  who  d'ye  ask? — 

to  who? 
To  the  old   man   at  that   popshop   there! — and   mark 

me,  he's  a  Jew! 

That   staggers  you,    I   thought   it  would.     But  bear 

with  me  a  bit; 
It  won't  take  long  to  let  you  have  the  sense  and  soul 

of  it; 
Fanny  was  ill,  and  times  were  bad,  and  I'd  no  work 

to  do; 
Fanny  got  worse,  and  then  I  took  to  visiting  the  Jew. 

Fanny  got  worse,  and  worse,  and  worse, — my  God; 

she  was  so  ill; 
And  the  times  that  were  so  tight  before,  my  lad,  got 

tighter  still; 
I    pawned    my    things — such    as    they    were — and    I 

pawned  my  wire's  things  too, 
Till  nothing  was  left   to  pawn— and   still   I  had   no 

work  to  do! 

I  was  starving — downright  starving! — and  Fanny  was 

almost  dead, 
One  night  as  I  sat,  with  tight-clasped  hands,  beside 

my  poor  girl's  bed ; 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  closed  my  eyes  in  a  dreamy  way — dida't  sleep  you 

understand ; — 
When  I  opened  'em  I  saw  the  Jew,  with  a  basket  in 

his  hand! 

He  was  only   a  hook-nosed,   crook-back  Jew,   but  he 

seemed  an  angel  then, 
For  he  brought  new  life  to  my  dying  wife,  and  made 

her  strong  again ! 
If  Heaven  is  full  when  he  dies,  I  know  they'll  make 

room   for  the  Jew!  .  .  . 
There!  that's  the  short  of  it,  my  lad,; — and  every  word 

is  true! 

LETO. 
(In  the  Graphic.) 


The  Little  Jew 
(A  True  Story) 

WE  were  at  school  together, 
The  little  Jew  and  I, 
He  had  black  eyes,  the  biggest  nose, 
The  very  smallest  fist  for  blows, 
Yet  nothing  made  him  cry. 

We  mocked  him  often  and  often, 

Called  him  all  names  we  knew, — 

"Young  Lazarus,"   "Father  Abraham," 
"Moses," — for  he  was  meek  as  a  lamb, 

The  gentle  little  Jew. 

But  not  a  word  he  answered ; 
Sat  in  his  corner  still, 

And  worked  his  sums,  and  counted  his  task 

Would  never  any  favor  ask, 
Did  us  nor  good  nor  ill. 

•      604 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Though  sometimes  he  would  lift  up 
Those  great  dark  Eastern  eyes, 

Appealing,  when  we  wronged  him  much, 

For  pity  ?    No !  but  full  of  such 
A  questioning  surprise. 

Just  like  a  beast  of  the  forest 

Caught  in  the  garden's  bound, — 
Hemmed  in  by  cruel  creatures  tame 
That  seem  akin,  almost  the  same, 

Yet  how  unlike  are  found ! 

He  did  his  boyish  duty 

In  play-ground  as  in  school ; 

A  little  put  upon,  and  meek, 

Though  no  one  ever  called  him  "sneak" 
Or  "coward,"  still  less  "fool." 

But  yet  I  never  knew  him, — 
Not  rightly,  I  may  say, — 

Till  one  day,  sauntering  round  our  square, 

I  saw  the  little  Jew  boy  there, 
Slow  lingering  after  play. 

He  looked   so   tired   and   hungry, 
So  dull  and  weary  both, 

"Hollo!"  cried  I,  "you  ate  no  lunch. 

Come,  here's  an  apple;  have  a  munch! 
Hey,  take  it!  don't  be  loath." 

He  gazed  upon  the  apple, 

So  large  and  round   and  red, 

Then   glanced  up  towards  the  western   sky,- 
The  sun  was  setting  gloriously, — 

But  not  a  word  he  said. 

He  gazed  upon  the  apple, 
Eager  as  Mother  Eve; 

Half  held  his  hand  out,  drew  it  back; 

Dim  drew  his  eyes,  so  big  and  black; 
His  breast  began  to  heave. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"I  am  so  very  hungry! 

And  yet — No,  thank  you.     No. 

"Good-by."    "You  little  dolt,"  said  I, 
"Just   take  your   apple.     There,   don't   cry! 

Home  with  you!  Off  you  go!" 

But  still  the  poor  lad  lingered, 
And  pointed  to  the  sky; 

"The  sunset  is  not  very  late ; 

I'm  not  so  hungry — I  can  wait. 
Thank  you.     Good-by, — good-by!" 

And  then  I  caught  and  held  him 

Against  the  palisade  ; 

Pinched  him  and  pommelled  him  right  well, 
And  forced  him  all  the  truth  to  tell, 

Exactly  as  I  bade. 

It  was  their  solemn  fast-day, 

When  every  honest  Jew 

From  sunset  unto  sunset  kept 

The   fast.      I  mocked;  he  only  wept: 

"What  father  does,  I  do." 

I  taunted  him  and  jeered  him, — 
The  more  brute  I,  I  feel. 

I  held  the  apple  to  his  nose; 

He  gave  me  neither  words  nor  blows, — 
Firm,  silent,  true  as  steel. 

I  threw  the  apple  at  him ; 
He  stood  one  minute  there, 

Then,  swift  as  hunted  deer  at  bay, 

He  left  the  apple  where  it  lay, 
And  vanished  round  the  square. 

I  went  and  told  my  father, — 
A  minister,  you  see; 

I  thought  that  he  would  laugh  outright, 

At  the  poor  silly  Israelite ; 
But  very  grave  looked  he. 

606 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Then  said,  "My  bold  young  Christian, 
Of  Christian   parents   born, 

Would  God  that  you  may  ever  be 

As  faithful  unto  Him — and  me — 
As  he  you  hold  in  scorn!" 

I  felt  my  face  burn  hotly, 
My  stupid  laughter  ceased ; 

For  father -is  a  right  good  man, 

And  still  I  please  him  all' I  can, 
As  parent  and  as  priest. 

Next  day,  when  school  was  over, 

I  put  my  nonsense  by ; 

Begged  the  lad's  pardon,  stopped  all  strife, 
And — well,  we  have  been  friends  for  life, 

The  little  Jew  and  I. 

DINAH  MARIA  MULOCK  CRAIK. 

Only  a  Jew 

TN  the  land  of  Brittany,  and  long  ago, 

*     Lived  one  of  those 

Despised  and  desolate,  whose  records  show 

Insults  and  blows, 

Their  old  inheritance  of  wrong,  who  were 
Free  once  as  the  eyelids  of  the  morn ;  nor  care 

Knew,  nor  annoy, 

In  that  city  of  joy, 
Heaven-chosen  child,  whom  none  to  harm  might  dare; 

Lived  one  who  did  as  if  his  God  stood  near 

Watching  his  deed, 
Slow  to  give  answer,  ever  swift  to  hear ; 

Whose  brain  would  breed, 
Walking  alone  or  watching  through  the  night, 
No  idle  thought;  but  he  with  ill  would  fight 

And  day  by  day 

Would  wax  alway 
Wiser  and  better  and  nearer  to  the  light. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  in  this  land  a  mother  lost  her  child, 

And  charged  the  Jew 
With  crucifying  him,  who  calmly  smiled 

Denial.     "You 

Have  slain,"  quoth  she,   "to  keep  your   Passover 
My  son  with  sorceries."     He  answered  her, 

"Your  wit  must  fail  ; 

An  idle  tale 
Is  this;  what  proof  thereof  can  you  prefer?" 

But  she  went  from  him  raging.    Then  he  fled 

Out  of  that  land; 
And  those  there  set  a  price  on  his  gray  head, 

Who  with  skilled  hand 
Of  craft  had  fed  one  daughter  fair  as  day, 
Now  destitute.     Soon  gold  before  her  lay 

The  bait  of  shame; 

But  she,  aflame 
With  honor,  flung  such  happiness  away. 

And  writing,  told  her  father,  who  came  back 

By  night,  and  bade 
Her  claim  his  life's  reward.     "Rather  the  rack 

Rend  me,"  she  said ; 

"And  shall  I  give  him  death  who  life  gave  me? 
Sell  him  and  feed  on  him?    Far  sooner  we 

Both  died!     Somewhere 

Beyond  earth's  care 
Hereafter  we  shall  meet  it  well  may  be 

Somewhere  hereafter."     "Nay,  you  still  shall  live," 

He  murmured ;  then, 
Went  out  into  the  market,  crying,   "Give 

This  price,  ye  men, 

For  me  to  her,  my  daughter."     But  these  laid 
False  hands  on  both,  nor  other  duty  paid 

Than  death ;  for  they, 

Gold  hair  and  gray, 
Were  slain  hard  by  in  the  holy  minster's  shade. 

608 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

After,  in  no  long  time,  the  little  child 

Returned,  a  stray 
Fresh  from  the  sea:  it  by  a  ship  beguiled, 

In  the  hold  at  play, 

Had  sailed  unseen  till  the  land  a  small  speck  grew, 
But  still  the  people  prayed  in  the  porch,  in  view 

Of  the  blood-splashed  stone, 

And  made  no  moan; 
"  'Twas  only  a  Jew,"  the  folk  said,  "only  a  Jew!" 

ANONYMOUS. 


Holy  Cross  Day 

ON    WHICH  THE   JEWS   WERE    FORCED   TO   ATTEND    AN 
ANNUAL  CHRISTIAN  SERMON  IN  ROME 

("Now  was  come  about  Holy-Cross  Day,  and  now 
must  my  lord  preach  his  first  sermon  to  the  Jews;  as 
it  was  of  old  cared  for  in  the  merciful  bowels  of  the 
Church,  that,  so  to  speak,  a  crumb  at  least  from  her 
conspicuous  table  here  in  Rome  should  be,  though  but 
once  yearly,  cast  to  the  famishing  dogs,  under-trampled 
and  bespitten  upon  beneath  the  feet  of  the  guests. 
And  a  moving  sight  in  truth,  this,  of  so  many  of  the 
besotted  blind  restif  and  ready-to-peri sh  Hebrews! 
Now  maternally  brought — nay,  (for  He  saith,  'Compel 
them  to  come  in')  haled,  as  it  were,  by  the  head  and 
hair,  and  against  their  obstinate  hearts,  to  partake  of 
the  heavenly  grace.  What  awakening,  what  striving 
with  tears,  what  working  of  a  yeasty  conscience !  Nor 
was  my  lord  wanting  to  himself  on  so  apt  an  occasion ; 
witness  the  abundance  of  conversions  which  did  in- 
continently reward  him :  though  not  to  my  lord  be  alto- 
gether the  glory." — Diary  by  the  Bishop's  Secretary, 
1 600. )  - 

What  the  Jews  really  said,  on  thus  being  driven  to 
church,  was  rather  to  this  effect: — 

609 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I 

I7EE,  faw,  fum!  bubble  and  squeak! 

*•      Blessedest  Thursday's  the  fat  of  the  week. 

Rumble  and  tumble,  sleek  and  rough, 

Stinking  and  savory,  smug  and  gruff, 

Take  the  church-road,  for  the  bell's  due  chime 

Give  us  the  summons — 't  is  sermon-time ! 

II 

Bob,  here's  Barnabas!     Job,  that's  you? 

Up  stumps  Solomon — bustling  too? 

Shame,  man !  greedy  beyond  your  years 

To  handsel  the  bishop's  shaving-shears? 

Fair  play's  a  jewel!     Leave  friends  in  the  lurch? 

Stand  on  a  line  ere  you  ctart  for  the  church ! 

Ill 

Higgledy  piggledy,  packed  we  lie, 
Rats  in  a  hamper,  swine  in  a  sty, 
Wasps  in  a  bottle,  frogs  in  a  sieve, 
Worms  in  a  carcass,  fleas  in  a  sleeve, 
Hist!  square  shoulders,  settle  your  thumbs 
And   buzz  for  the  bishop — here  he  comes. 

IV 

Bow,  wow,  wow — a  bone  for  the  dog! 
I  liken  his  Grace  to  an  acorned  hog. 
What,  a  boy  at  his  side,  with  a  bloom  of  a  lass, 
To  help  and  handle  my  lord's  hour-glass! 
Didst  ever  behold  so  lithe  a  chine? 
His  cheek  hath  laps  like  a  fresh-singed  swine. 

V 

Aaron's  asleep — shove  hip  to  haunch, 

Or  somebody  deal  him  a  dig  in  the  paunch! 

Look  at  the  purse  with  the  tassel  and  knob,  » 

And  the  gown  with  the  angel  and  thingumbob! 

What's  he  at,  quotha?  reading  his  text! 

Now  you've  his  curtsey — and  what  comes  next? 

610 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

VI 

See  to  our  converts — you  doomed  black  dozen — 

No  stealing  away — nor  cog  nor  cozen! 

You  five,  that  were  thieves,  deserve  it  fairly; 

You  seven,  that  were  beggars,  will  live  less  sparely; 

You  took  your  turn  and  dipped  in  the  hat, 

Got  fortune — and  fortune  gets  you,  mind  that! 

VII 

Give  your  first  groan — compunction's  at  work; 
And  soft !  from  a  Jew  you  mount  to  a  Turk, 
Lo,  Micah, — the  selfsame  beard  on  chin 
He  was  four  times  already  converted  in ! 
Here's  a  knife,  clip  quick — it's  a  sign  of  grace — 
Or  he  ruins  us  all  with  his  hanging  face. 

VIII 

Whom  now  is  the  bishop  a-leering  at? 

I  know  a  point  where  his  text  falls  pat. 

I'll  tell  him  to-morrow,  a  word  just  now 

Went  to  my  heart  and  made  me  vow 

I  meddle  no  more  with  the  worst  of  trades — 

Let  somebody  else  pay  his  serenades! 

IX 

Groan  altogether  now,  whee-hee-hee ! 

It's  a-work,  it's  a-work,  ah,  woe  is  me! 

It  began,  when  a  herd  of  us,  picked  and  placed, 

Were  spurred  thro'  the  Corso,  stripped  to  the  waist; 

Jew  brutes,  with  sweat  and  blood  well  spent 

To  usher  in  worthily  Christian  Lent. 

X 

It  grew,  when  the  hangman  entered  our  bounds, 

Yelled,  pricked  us  out  to  his  church  like  hounds; 

It  got  to  a  pitch,  when  the  hand  indeed 

Which  gutted  my  purse,  would  throttle  my  creed: 

And  it  overflows,  when,  to  even  the  odd, 

Men  I  helped  to  their  sins  help  me  to  their  God. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

XI 

But  now,  while  the  scapegoats  leave  our  flock 
And  the  rest  sit  silent  and  count  the  clock, 
Since  forced  to  muse  the  appointed  time 
On  these  precious   facts  and   truths  sublime, — 
Let  us  fitly  employ  it,  under  our  breath, 
In  saying  Ben  Ezra's  Song  of  Death. 

XII 

For  Rabbi  Ben  Ezra,  the  night  he  died, 

Called  sons  and  sons'  sons  to  his  side, 

And  spoke,  "This  world  has  been  harsh  and  strange; 

Something  is  wrong:  there  needeth  a  change. 

But  what,  or  where?  at  the  last  or  first? 

In  one  point  only  we  sin,  at  worst. 

XIII 

"The  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  Jacob  yet, 
And  again  in  his  border  see  Israel  set. 
When  Judah  beholds  Jerusalem, 
The  stranger-seed  shall  be  joined  to  them : 
To  Jacob's  House  shall  the  Gentiles  cleave. 
So  the  Prophet  saith  and  his  sons  believe. 

XIV 

"Ay,  the  children  of  the  chosen  race 
Shall  carry  and  bring  them  to  their  place: 
In  the  land  of  the  Lord  shall  lead  the  same, 
Bondsmen  and  handmaids.     Who  shall  blame, 
When  the  slaves  enslave,  the  oppressed  ones  o'er 
The  oppressor  triumph  for  evermore? 

XV 

"God  spoke,  and  gave  us  the  word  to  keep : 
Bade  never  fold  the  hands  nor  sleep 
'Mid  a  faithless  world, — at  watch  and  ward, 
Till  Christ  at  the  end  relieve  our  guard. 
By  his  servant  Moses  the  watch  was  set: 
Tho'  near  upon  cock-crow,  we  keep  it  yet. 

612 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

XVI 

"Thou!  if  thou  wast  he,  who  at  mid-watch  came, 

By  the  starlight,  naming  a  dubious  name! 

And   if,    too    heavy   with   sleep — too    rash 

With  fear — O  thou,  if  that  martyr-gash 

Fell  on  thee  coming  to  take  thine  own, 

And  we  gave  the  Cross,  when  we  owed  the  Throne- 

XVII 

"Thou  art  the  Judge.     We  are  bruised  thus. 
But,  the  Judgment  over,  join  sides  with  us! 
Thine,  too,  is  the  cause !  and  not  more  thine 
Than  ours,  is  the  work  of  these  dogs  and  swine, 
Whose  life  laughs  through  and  spits  at  their  creed! 
Who  maintain  thee  in  word,  and  defy  thee  in  deed! 

XVIII 

"We  withstood  Christ  then?     Be  mindful  how 
At  least  we  withstand  Barabbas  now! 
Was  our  outrage  sore?     But  the  worst  we  spared, 
To  have  called  these — Christians,  had  we  dared ! 
Let  defiance  to  them  pay  mistrust  of  thee, 
And  Rome  make  amends  for  Calvary ! 

XIX 

"By  the  torture,  prolonged  from  age  to  age, 
By  the  infamy,  Israel's  heritage, 
By  the  Ghetto's  plague,  by  the  garb's  disgrace, 
By  the  badge  of  shame,  by  the  felon's  place, 
By  the  branding-tool,  tV»e  bloody  whip, 
And  the  summons  to  Christian  fellowship, — 

XX 

"We  boast  our  proof  that  at  least  the  Jew 
Would  wrest  Christ's  name  from  the  Devil's  crew. 
Thy  face  took  never  so  deep  a  shade 
But  we  fought  them  in  it,  God  our  aid ! 

613 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  trophy  to  bear,  as  we  march,  thy  band, 
South,  East,  and  on  to  the  Pleasant  Land!" 

ROBERT  BROWNING. 

(Pope  Gregory  XVI  abolished  this  bad  business  of 
the  Sermon. — R.  B.) 

The  Guardian   of  the  Red  Disk 
(Spoken   by  a  citizen  of   Malta — 1300) 

A    CURIOUS  title  held  in  high  repute, 
*"•  One  among  many  honors,  thickly  strewn 
On  my  Lord  Bishop's  head,  his  grace  of  Malta. 
Nobly  he  bears  them  all, — with  tact,  skill,  zeal, 
Fulfils  each  special  office,  vast  or  slight, 
Nor  slurs  the  least  minutia, — therewithal 
Wears  such  a  stately  aspect  of  command, 
Broad-cheeked,  broad-chested,   reverend,  sanctified, 
Haloed  with  white  about  the  tonsure's  rim, 
With  dropped  lids  o'er  the  piercing  Spanish  eyes 
(Lynx-keen,  I  warrant,  to  spy  out  heresy)  ; 
Tall,  massive  form,  o'ertowering  all  in  presence, 
Or  ere  they  kneel  to  kiss  the  large  white  hand. 
His  looks  sustain  his  deeds, — the  perfect  prelate, 
Whose  void  chair  shall  be  taken,  but  not  filled. 

You  know  not,  who  are  foreign  to  the  isle, 
Haply,  what  this  Red  Disk  may  be,  he  guards. 
'Tis  the  bright  blotch,  big  as  the  Royal  seal, 
Branded  beneath  the  beard  of  every  Jew. 
These  vermin  so  infest  the  isle,  so  slide 
Into  all  byways,  highways  that  may  lead 
Direct  or  roundabout  to  wealth  or  power, 
Some  plain,  plump  mark  was  needed,  to  protect 
From  degrading  contact  Christian  folk. 

The  evil  had  grown  monstrous:  certain  Jews 
Wore  such  a  haughty  air,  had  so  refined, 
With  super-subtile  arts,  strict,  monkish  lives, 
And  studious  habit,  the  coarse  Hebrew  type, 

614 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

One  might  have  elbowed  in  the  public  mart 
Iscariot, — nor  suspected  one's  soul-peril. 
Christ's  blood !  it  sets  my  flesh  a-creep  to  think ! 
We  may  breathe  freely  now,  not  fearing  taint, 
Praised  be  our  good  Lord  Bishop!     He  keeps  count 
Of  every  Jew,  and  prints  on  cheek  or  chin 
The  scarlet  stamp  of  separateness,  of  shame. 

No  beard,  blue-black,  grizzled  or  Judas-colored, 
May  hide  that  damning  little  wafer-flame. 
When  one  appears  therewith,  the  urchins  know 
Good  sport's  at  hand ;  they  fling  their  stones  and  mud, 
Sure  of  their  game.     But  most  the  wisdom  shows 
Upon  the  unbelievers'  selves ;  they  learn 
Their  proper  rank ;  crouch,  cringe,  and  hide, — lay  by 
Their  insolence  of  self-esteem;  no  more 
Flaunt  forth  in  rich  attire,  but  in  dull  weeds, 
Slovenly  donned,  would  slink  past  unobserved ; 
Bow  servile  necks  and  crook  obsequious  knees, 
Chin  sunk  in  hollow  chest,  eyes  fixed  on  earth 
Or  blinking  sidewise,  but  to  apprehend 
Whether  or  not  the  hated  spot  be  spied. 
I  warrant  my  Lord  Bishop  has  full  hands, 
Guarding  the  Red  Disk — lest  one  rogue  escape! 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 

Rabbi  Ben  Ezra 

ROW  old  along  with  me ! 

The  best  is  yet  to  be, 
The  last  of  life,  for  which  the  first  was  made: 
Our  times  are  in  His  hand 
Who  saith :  "A  whole  I  planned, 

Youth  shows  but  half;  trust  God:  see  all,  nor  be 

afraid!" 
******** 

Look  not  thou  down  but  up ! 
To  uses  of  a  cup, 

The  festal  board,  lamp's  flash  and  trumpet's  peal, 

615 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  new  wine's  foaming  flow, 
The  Master's  lips  aglow ! 

Thou,  heaven's  consummate  cup,  what  needst  thou 
with  earth's  wheel  ? 

But  I  need,  now  as  then, 
Thee,  God,  who  mouldest  men ; 

And  since,  not  even  while  the  whirl  was  worst, 
Did  I — to  the  wheel  of  life 
With  shapes  and  colors  rife, 

Bound  dizzily — mistake  my  end,  to  slake  Thy  thirst. 

So,  take  and  use  Thy  work: 
Amend  what  flaws  may  lurk, 

What  strain  o'  the  stuff,  what  warpings  past  the 


aim 


My  times  be  in  Thy  hand ! 
Perfect  the  cup  as  planned! 

Let  age  approve  of  youth,  and  death  complete  the 
same!  ROBERT  BROWNING. 


The  Angel 

T  DREAMT  I  saw  an  angel  in  the  sky, 

*•   Her  face  was  calm  and  fair  up  there  on  high ; 

She  smiled  at  me— a  strange  and  lovely  smile 

That  had  in  it  no  thought  of  earthly  guile. 

She  looked  so  fair,  so  strange  and  wondrous  pure, 

That  'twas  an  angel,  I  was  passing  sure; 

She  spoke — her  voice  was  music  in  the  air; 

So  sweet  it  was,  it  matched  her  person  fair. 

She  asked  me,  "Is  there  aught  that  I  can  do?" 

I  humbly  answered,  "Make  me  fair  as  you." 

She  smiled   again,   that   strange  unearthly   smile, 

That  made  all  mundane  things  seem  crude  and  vile 

"Thou  art  not  ready  yet,"  she  seemed  to  say 

And  with  a  sigh,  she  floated  far  away. 

DOROTHY  S.  SILVERMAN. 
616 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

A  Legend 

HTO  the  home  of  the  rabbi  a  Lord  in  his  splendor, 

Comes  riding  at  dead  of  night; 
His  glittering  helmet  with  feathers  is  garnished, 
With  stains  his  breast  is  bedight. 

In  a  room  where  the  flame  of  a  lamplet  is  glowing, 

So  wan  and  so  lonely  and  dim ; 
The  Lord  of  the  Manor  in  quest  of  his  learning, 

Attentively  listens  to  him. 

And  yet  ere  the  church  bells  at  dawn  o'  the  morning 

Their  summons  to  prayer  intone, 
The  Lord  of  the  Manor  rides  forth  from  the  Ghetto; 

To  no  one  his  secret  is  known. 

By  daylight  the  sage  in  his  cloistered  seclusion 

Sees  never  the  Lord  of  the  night; 
But  the  dreams  and  the  deeds  of  the  noble  disciple, 

Are  fruit  of  the  tree  of  his  might. 

And  so  through  the  squalor  and  dirt  of  the  Ghetto, 

The  Lord  with  his  retinue  rides, 
And  gazes  with  pensive  and  yearning  attention, 

At  the  home  where  his  teacher  abides. 

JEHOASH. 
(Translated  by  Elias  Lieberman.) 


The  Rabbi's  Song 

IF  thought  ever  reach  to  Heaven, 
*•       On  Heaven  let  it  dwell. 
For  fear  that  Thought  be  given 

Like  Power  to  reach  to  Hell; 
For  fear  that  Desolation 

And  darkness  on  thy  mind 
Perplex  the  habitation 

Which  thou  hast  left  behind. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Our  lives,  our  tears  as  water 

Are  poured  upon  the  ground ; 
God  giveth  no  man  quarter, 

Yet  God  a  means  hath  found, 
Tho'  faith  and  hope  have  vanished 

And  even  love  grows  dim, 
A  means  whereby  his  banished 

Be  not  expelled  from  Him. 

RUDYARD  KIPLING. 


A  Sonnet 
To  the  Beloved  Memory  of  Robert  Browning 

CERENE,  translucent  as  yon  Maytime  star 
^        In  sanctuary  of  its  bliss  superb, 

Accept,  O  Bard !  a  sprig  of  Israel's  herb, 
In  bitterness  no  less  familiar 
To  you,  than  is  the  knell  of  surging  bar, 

When  night-winds  raving,  dreamer's  peace  perturb, 

With  blood  and  fire,  and  hell-groans  from  the  curb, 
Shrined  in  the  tales  you  wrote  in  days  afar, 
Brave  sharer  in  our  nether  fates,  you  bore 

Israel's  death-crown,  voiced  his  feeble  rights, 
Stood  weeping  by  his  side,  and  mourning  wore, 

In  those  black  days,  whose  memory  still  frights, 
Still  casts  its  spectral  hue  athwart  the  brain, 
And  feeds  the  heart  with  hopeless  endless  pain. 

M.  L.  R.  BRESLAR. 


The  Hebrew  Mind 

IFTS,  as  romantic  as  the  cruse  of  oil, 

Found  in  the  days  of  mad  Antiochus, 
Were  brewed  by  Hadrian  from  henbane;  spruce 
For  Israel's  quaffing;  potions,  framed  to  foil 
A  nation's  growth,  they  met  with  swift  recoil! 

618 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Tempt  never  genius,  with  devil's  juice! 
Vain  arts,  O  Hadrian,  and  vain  the  ruse, — 
When  balked  by  birds,  who  garnered  all  the  spoil. 
For  Hadrian,  as  for  Vespasian, 

History  sheds  a  tear  of  wonder  blind; 

Mere  vessels  those,  Balaam's  sent  to  bless, 
They  scourged  with  fire  and  sword,  till  the  dread  ban 

Flowered,  like  Aaron's  rod  of  loveliness, 
And  forged  that  wondrous  thing,  the  Hebrew  mind. 

M.  L.  R.  BRESLAR. 


Who   Gives  in  Love 

"MAUGHT  is  there  in  life  worth  living, 

Save  it  flavored  be  by  love ; 
Naught  is  there   in   life   worth   giving, 

Save  it  sanctioned  be  above. 
Who  in  evil  mood  bestoweth, 
In  his  heart  the  canker  groweth; 
He  who  gives  in  truth  and  love 
Shall  a  thousand  pleasures  prove. 

ISIDOR  WISE. 


An  Invocation 


O 


H,  harp  of  Judah !  wake  again ! 

Can  no  one  deftly  touch  thy  strings 
To  scatter  far  the  sacred  strain 

Which   from   divinest   patience  springs! 
Have  all  the  strife-sown  troublous  years 

No  joys  for  happy  song  to  cast? 
Can  love  distil  no  hope  from  tears, 
Or  steal  no  beauty  from  the  past? 

Has  music  lost  its  spell  and  power 
To  summon  hopes  that  only  rest? 

Endowed  with  truths,  our  lasting  dower, 
That  mock  the  ages'  wear  and  test ; 

619 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Can  no  heart-stirring  melody 

Imbued  with  light  and  touched  with  fire, 
Flow  from  a  nation  proud  and  free 

Whose  past  must  urge  them  to  aspire? 

Reproach,  an  ignominious  sea, 

Can  follow  in  our  wake  no  more; 
The  poisoned  waves  of  calumny 

Are  washed  away  from  Freedom's  shore. 
The  justice  of  a  nobler  age 

Has  reached  and  raised  our  scattered  race ; 
Our  history  shows  a  fairer  page, 

Our  future  wears  a  brighter  face. 

The  rooted  weeds  of  narrow  thought 

Which  closely  cling,  or  idly  spread, 
Which  ignorance  has  sown  and  wrought, 

Are  crushed  and  buried  with  the  dead. 
A  loftier  sense  of  heavenly  things, 

A  wider  view  of  human  life 
Have  fashioned  tolerance :  which  brings 

Its  own  repose  to  cast  off  strife. 

Beyond  man's  vain  imaginings, 

Is  Israel's  faith  that  never  dies, 
The  boon  of  slaves — the  pride  of  Kings — • 

Its  meanings  make  the  nations  wise, 
And  thro'  the  mists  of  ages  gone, 

Its  God-stamped  visions  still  appear 
As  in  the  Bible's  earliest  dawn, 

Supremely  true,  divinely  clear! 

And  who  asserts  that  Judah's  claim 

To  any  chosen  land  is  o'er? 
When  all  the  earth  contains  her  fame 

That  spreads  and  widens  evermore; 
The  truths  that  sanctify  her  creed 

Shall  scatter  hopes  where'er  they  shine, 
Until  all  men  shall  feel  the  need 

Of  her  own  unity  divine. 

620 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

So  wake,  my  harp,  my  fingers  press 

Thy  rust-worn  strings,  while  fancy  longs 
To  dower  with  melodiousness, 

The  burden  of  unuttered  songs; 
My  faltering  touch  may  reach  in  vain 

The  music  of  my  sacred  themes, 
Still  Truth  may  charm  the  feeble  strain 

And  lend  its  sweetness  to  my  dreams! 

ISIDORE   G.   ASCHER. 


Adas  Israel 

ISRAEL!  in  the  morn's  returning  light, 
Thy  temple  stands,  all  crowned  with  splendor 
bright, 

And  there,  high  Salem's  courts  again  shall  tell 

Jehovah's  praise,  and  faith  of  Israel. 

The  watchman  on  thy  long  benighted  walls 

Hath  marked  the  night's  departing  gloom,  and  calls; 

Up,  Israel!  now  thy  darkness  flies  away, 

And  light  is  breaking  into  glorious  day. 

The  dawn  of  freedom  on  a  darkened  earth, 
Thy  faith  awakens  to  a  brighter  birth. 
Thy  promised  king — awaited  long  in  vain, 
Now  comes  at  last,  in  light  and  truth,  to  reign. 

Through  long  oppression,  God  hath  guided  thee, 
From  darker  Egypt,   through   a  bloodless  sea; 
And  by  the  chastening  of  his  hand,  hath  strove 
To  make  thee  still  more  faithful  to  his  love. 

And  now,  no  more  thy  race  oppressed  shall  be, 

But  all  thy  foes  shall  strive  to  honor  thee, 

And  nations  at  thy  temple-altars  bring 

Their  richest  offerings  to  thy  sovereign  King — 

621 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  Israel !  wandering  in  all  lands  afar, 
Thy  faith  of  old — be  still  thy  guiding  star, 
And  thy  bright  temple  shall  show  forth  again — 
The  shining  glories  of  thine  ancient  reign. 

M.  BEYER. 


Poetry 

OD  made  the  world  with  rhythm  and  rime — 

The  sun's  refrain  he  made  the  moon ; 
He  swung  the  stars  to  beat  in  time 

And  set  the  universe  in  tune. 
He  gave  the  seas  their  mighty  tongue, 

He  gave  his  winds  their  lyric  wings, 
And  thus  the  very  soul  of  Song 

Was  woven  in  the  scheme  of  things. 

To-day  this  wonder  was  revealed 

Upon  a  twilight  colored  plain ; 
I  saw  it  in  the  town  and  field, 

I  heard  it  in  the  singing  rain. 
The  bows  and"  birds  repeated  it, 

The  streams  intoned  it  as  they  ran, 
And  then  I  saw  how  closely  knit 

Were  God  and  Poetry  with  man. 

A  rift  of  sky — a  group  of  trees, 

A  ripple  and  a  swallow's  dart, 
The  cadence  of  a  dying  breeze, 

Like  sudden  music,  swept  my  heart; 
A  laughing  child  looked  up  and  sprang 

To  greet  me  at  the  homeward  climb — 
And  all  about  me  surged  and  sang 

The  world  God  made  with  rhythm  and  rime. 

Louis  UNTERMEYER. 


622 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Our  Heritage 


\Y/E  own  no  kingdom  and  we  flaunt  no  king, 
**         No  crown  is  ours  to  mock  at  or  obey, 
No  superficial  homage  do  we  bring 

To  any  dastard  tyranny  to-day; 
Our  realms  have  broadened  to  the  mighty  world, 

The  boundaries  of  our  rule  stretch  far  and  wide, 
Our  racial  flag  is  evermore  unfurled, 

Where  Jewish  souls  in  freedom's  air  abide, 
Our  citadel  is  truth;  our  empty  home, 

Our  ramparts  are  the  laws  to  make  us  wise, 
Eternal  as  the  azure-vaulted  dome, 

Our  heritage  from  Heaven  never  dies; 
And  from  the  nations'  flux  and  change  and  strife, 

The  Jews  draw  strenuous  force  and  vigorous  life. 

ISIDORE  G.  ASCHER. 

Israel's  Heritage 

LJOW  shall  we  spend,  O  Lord, 

Our  priceless  heritage; 
The  wealth  of  Holy  Writ  (Thy  Word), 

Bequeathed  from  age  to  age. 
How  shall  we  use  the  garnered  store 
Of  Israel's  ancient  song  and  lore? 

Shall  we,  like  misers,  hoard 

The  jewels  in  our  care; 
The  gems,  by  Seer  and  Prophet  stored, 

That  all  mankind  might  share; 
The  law   from   Sinai's   summit  hurled 
To  speak  in  thunder  to  the  world. 

Shall  we  not  spread  broadcast 

This  wealth  that  shall  endure? 
These  seeds  of  Faith,  that  in  the  past 

Burst  into  blossoms  pure: 

Whose   roots  were   nourished   through   the  years 
By  martyred  Israel's  blood  and  tears. 

623 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Heirs  or  thy  Love  are  we, 

The  First-born,  chosen  race; 
Holding  in  trust  the  legacy 

No  tyrant  can -efface! 
Life  of  our  life,  breath  of  our  breath, 
Outliving  scorn,  and  hate  and  death! 

4 

O  let  our  Fathers  preach 

Thy  glory  and  Thy  fame! 
O  let  our  tender  mothers  teach 

Their  babes  to  lisp  thy  name; 
That  Israel  in  each  coming  age 
May  claim  its  precious  heritage! 

IDA  GOLDSMITH  MORRIS. 

Fin  de  Siecle 

TV/HAT!  do  I  hear  the  nations  boast 
™         Of  what  the  century's  shown, 
The  while  on  Corfu's  distant  coast 

The  persecuted   groan? 
The  while  in  Russia's  spreading  space 

No  smallest  place  is  found 
Whereon  a  guiltless  hunted  race 

May  find  a  resting  ground? 
The  while  e'en   noblest  charity 

But  little  can  avail, 
And  bitter,  widespread  misery 

Relates  a  woful  tale? 

The  while  some  starve  and  have  no  bed 
While  others  roll  in  gold, 

And  socialism's  spirit  dread 
The  problem  would  unfold? 

The  while  in  Europe's  cultured  lands 
Vast  armies  still  maintain, 

And  men  must  learn  from  skilled  commands 
How  men  may  best  be  slain  ? 

And  to  achieve  this  worldly  lore 
Must  work  more  worthy  cease, 

Constrained  to  practice  art  of  war 

624 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

In  time  of  doubtful  peace? 

The  while  so  many  a  labor-strike 
Speaks  of  injustice  rife, 

On  man  and  master's  side  alike, 
And  leads  to  endless  strife? 

The  while  so  many  wretched  cry 
In  vain  for  Work?     Oh,  say! 

Is  aught  herein  to  glorify? 
Or  reason  for  dismay!  ANONYMOUS. 

Hope  and  Faith 

LJOPE!    Not  distant  is  the  Springtime, 
*  Butterflies  will  soon  be  winging — 

In  new  nests  the  merry  songsters 

Their  new  songs  will  soon  be  singing. 

Know!     The  night  itself  will  vanish, 
Cloudlands  drift  and  melt  away — 

Once  again  will  skies  shine  azure, 
Stars  by  night  and  suns  by  day. 

New  the  roses,  new  the  flowers, 

Spring's  new  odors  flow  in  waves, 

Brilliant  colors,  scents  and  singing 
Will  arise  above  our  graves. 

ISAAC  LEIB  PEREZ. 
(Translated  by  Henry  Goodman.) 

Not  by  Power 

"Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  My  spirit, 
saith  the  lord  of  hosts."— Zachariah  iv.,  6. 

by  power 
Blooms  the  flower 
Of  a  growth  unseen ; 

Ye  shall  find  it, 
Ye  shall  bind  it 

On  your  brows  serene. 

625 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Not  by  might 

Darkest   night 
Yields  at  dawn  this  prize; 

Springing  surely, 
Slowly,  purely, 

It  shall  humbly  rise. 

I^aith  is  mine, 

Love  Divine 
Is  its  scented  breath; 

Faith  that  brightens, 
Cheers,  enlightens, 

It  shall  conquer  death! 

MARY  M.   COHEN. 

Lines 

Written  on  hearing  a  learned  Lawyer  say  in  Court, 
that  "the  Jews  were  hated  alike  by  God  and  man." 

CAY  not  that  we  are  cut  off  by  Thee,  Guardian  of 

Israel's  race; 
Despite  of  all  our  waywardness,  in  Thy  love  we  hold 

a  place; 
And  in  our  dark  and  bitter  hours,  we  still  can  turn  to 

Thee 
For  guidance  or  for  comfort,  when  earthly  pleasures 

flee. 

Not  utterly  abhorred  by  Thee ! — man  cannot  trace  Thy 

ways 
Nor  reach  into  Thy  hidden  path,  O  Thou  of  ancient 

days. 

And  must  we  still  be  taunted  and  told  we  are  forgot. 
Condemned  alike  by  Thee  and  man,  our  destiny  a  blot. 

Believe  it  not,  believe  it  not !  we  are  God's  chosen  still 
To  whom  He  hath  in  mercy  given  the  records  of  His 
will! 

626 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

To  whom   He  hath  in  kindness  said,   "Fear  not,  for 

thou  art  Mine, 
I  have  called  thee  by  My  holy  name,  and  glory  shall 

be  thine." 

ALICE  RHINE. 


The  Glory  of  God 

On  seeing  the  sun  suddenly  break  forth  and  illumine 
the  Sepher  while  it  was  being  carried  to  the  Hechal. 

WAS  it  thus,  stricken  remnant,  the  glory  of  God 
Burst   forth   on   the   fathers,    and   showered   its 

light 

Across  the  rude  path  that  those  weary  ones  trod, — 
A  cloud-pillar  by  day,  a  flame-witness  by  night? 

As  it  guided  the  sire,  it  now  gleams  on  the  son; 

As  it  shone  in  the  wilderness  lonely  and  drear, 
So  it  burst  to  assure  thee,  O  desolate  one,     • 

That  in  sorrow  and  exile  His  presence  is  here. 

Then  say  not  the  day  of  thy  triumph  has  fled,     , 
Say  not  that  the  star  of  thy  glory  has  set, 

While  the  same  holy  blessing  still  rests  on  thy  head, 
And  the  same  "fire  from  heaven"  illumines  thee  yet. 

REBEKAH  HYNEMAN. 


Lessons  of  the  Past 

C"ROM  mem'ry's  lofty  vantage  ground 
*•     Our  mental  gaze  we  shift  around 

O'er  stretches  of  the  past. 
We  see  dim  realms  of  fading  glory 
The  trysting  place  of  figures  hoary, 
Whose  plaintive  accents  sound  one  story: 

God's  world  alone  doth  last. 

627 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

We  see  the  trophies  won  in  strife 
That  graced  the  triumphs  of  our  life 

Lie  strewn  in  sad  array. 
Each  mould'ring  relic  wails  a  strain, 
The  warning  dirge  of  myriads  slain 
Whose  echoes  roll  an  old  refrain : 

All  earthly  must  decay. 

But  in  this  threnody  that  saddens 
A  message  rings  that  ever  gladdens, 

Ne'er  perish  soul  and  name, 
Though  strongest  hopes  be  broken, 
Yet  every  good  word  spoken 
Remains  sweet  mem'ry's  token 

Of  amaranthine  fame. 

HARRY  WEISS. 


Rodef  Shalom 

ancient  nations  bowed  the  knee 
To  idols  made  of  wood  and  stone, 
The  Hebrew  nation  claimed  to  be 
The  worshippers  of  God  alone. 

For  this  they  sufrer'd,  bled,   and  died, 
A  chosen  people  strong  and  free; 

Strong  in  the  faith  that  should  abide 
Of  God's  own  matchless  majesty. 

Chosen  the  heralds  of  a  light, 

The  blinded  nations  could  not  see, 

Chosen  to  banish  moral  right 
And  rescue  from  Idolatry. 

Still  strong  in  faith  of  God  alone, 

They  rear  this  Temple  to  His  name, 

Jehovah's  power  and  love  to  own, 
His  tender  mercies  to  proclaim. 

628 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Hail!     Holy   One  enthron'd   above, 
The  God  and  Father  of  us  all, 

The  Triumphs  of   Fraternal  Love 
Shall  prove  we  heed  Thy  loving  call. 

Nor  shall  our  labors  e'er  be  done 

Till  God  is  honor'd  and  ador'd 
By  every  nation  'neath  the  sun, 

The  one  Jehovah,  sovereign  Lord. 

W.  G.  SKILLMAN. 


The  Nertiv  Temple 

A     NEW  shrine  stands  in  beauty  reared, 
^"^     Where  scions  of  a  faith  revered 

Renew  their  vows  to  God  — 
To  Him  this  house  they  dedicate, 
To  Him  their  hearts  they  consecrate, 

Upon  this  sacred  sod. 

Here  shall  the  words  of  praise  be  sung, 
From  days,  when  yet  the  world  was  young, 

Of  Psalmist  and  of  Seer; 
Like  torrent  shall  the  chorus  run, 
"The  Lord  our  God,  the  Lord  is  One, 

Hear  thou,  O  Israel,  hear!" 

Hence  shall  ascend  the  fervent  prayers 

Of  thanks  for  joys,  for  strength,  when  cares 

And  sorrows  the  soul  rack; 
Here  shall  the  breast  where  sin  has  surged, 
By  the  atonement's  fires  be  purged, 

To  holiness  led  back. 

On  this  new  altar  there  shall  blaze 
Refulgently  the  Bible's  rays, 

Of  Righteousness  and  Truth  ; 
Here  shall  the  wond'rous  tale  be  told 
The  miracle  of  Israel  old, 

And   its  undying  youth. 

629 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

May  justice  ever  here  prevail, 
May  love  of  all  Mankind  ne'er  fail, 

And  Charity  ne'er  cease; 
May  God's  Shekinah  calmly  rest, 
And  they  who  gather  here  be  blessed 

With  Concord  and  with  Peace. 

Louis  MARSHALL.* 

*Composed  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  New  Temple  of 
the  "Society  of  Concord,"  Syracuse,  New  York. 


Consecration  Hymn 

J7ATHER  of  Life  and  Light  and  Power, 
*•      To  Thee  we  consecrate  this  hour! 
With  earnest  hope,  with  purpose  pure, 
Oh,  make  this  happy  promise  sure. 

Except  Thou  build,  we  work  in  vain, 
With  holy  zeal  dost  Thou  sustain. 
Bind  all  our  hearts  in  rich  increase 
Of  helpful  deeds  that  ne'er  shall  cease. 

Help  us  to  lay  foundations  strong 
Of  love  for  right,  of  grief  for  wrong, 
And  brotherhood  with  every  race 
That  seeks  or  needs  the  Father's  grace. 

Help  us  to  grow  in  pure  desires, 
Kindle  our  souls  with  heavenly  fires, 
That  higher  levels  may  be  won, 
And  step  by  step  Thy  will  be  done. 

Build  in  us  all  Thy  spirit's  shrine: 
Then  shall  we  beam  with  light  divine, 
"And  work  with  heart  and  soul  and  might 
For  Truth  and  Freedom,  God  and  Right." 

R.  WAGNER. 


630 


.  THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  Kingdom  of  God 

HTHERE  is  no  unbelief; 
A    Whoever  plants  a  seed  beneath  the  sod 
And  waits  to  see  it  push  away  the  clod, 
He  trusts  in  God. 

Whoever  says  when  clouds  are  in  the  sky, 
"Be  patient,  heart ;  light  breaketh  by-and-by," 
Trusts  the  Most  High. 

Whoever  sees,  'neath  winter's  field  of  snow, 
The  silent  harvest  of  the  future  grow, 
God's  power  must  know. 

Whoever  lies  down  on  his  couch  to  sleep, 
Content  to  lock  each  sense  in  slumber  deep, 
Knows  God  will  keep. 

EDWARD  BULWER  LYTTON. 


Rebecca's  Hymn 
(From  "Ivanhoe") 

WHEN  Israel,  of  the  Lord  beloved, 

Out  of  the  land  of  bondage  came, 
Her  fathers'  God  before  her  moved, 

An  awful  guide,  in  smoke  and  flame. 
By  day,  along  the  astonish'd  lands 

The  cloudy  pillar  glided  slow; 
By  night,  Arabia's  crimson'd  sands 

Return'd  the  fiery  column's  glow. 

There  rose  the  choral  hymn  of  praise, 
And  trump  and  timbrel  answer'd  keen, 

And  Zion's  daughters  pour'd  their  lays, 
With  priest's  and  warrior's  voice  between. 

631 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

No  portents  now  our  foes  amaze, 

Forsaken   Israel  wanders  lone; 
Our  fathers  would  not  know  Thy  ways, 

And  Thou  hast  left  them  to  their  own. 

But  present  still,  though  now  unseen, 

When  brightly  shines  the  prosperous  day 
Be  thoughts  of  Thee  a  cloudy  screen 

To  temper  the  deceitful  ray. 
And  oh,  when  stoops  on  Judah's  path 

In  shade  and  storm  the  frequent  night, 
Be  Thou,  long-suffering,  slow  to  wrath, 

A  burning  and  a  shining  light! 

Our  harps  we  left  by  Babel's  streams, 

The  tyrant's  jest,  the  Gentile's  scorn; 
No  censer  round  our  altar  beams, 

And  mute  are  timbrel,  harp  and  horn, 
But  Thou  hast  said,  the  blood  of  goat, 

The  flesh  of  rams,  I  will  not  prize ; 
A  contrite  heart,  a  humble  thought, 

Are  Mine  accepted  sacrifice. 

SIR  WALTER  SCOTT. 


A  Jewish  Family 

ENIUS  of  Raphael!  if  thy  wings 
Might  bear  thee  to  this  glen, 
With  faithful  memory  left  of  things 

To  pencil  dear  and  pen, 
Thou  wouldst  forego  the  neighboring  Rhine, 

And  all  his  majesty — 
A  studious  forehead  to  incline 
O'er  this  poor  family. 

The  Mother — her  thou  must  have  seen, 

In  spirit,  ere  she  came 
To  dwell  these  rifted  rocks  between, 

Or  found  on  earth  a  name ; 

632 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

An  image,  too,  of  that  sweet  Boy, 

Thy  inspirations  give — 
Of  playfulness,  and  love,  and  joy, 

Predestined  here  to  live. 

Downcast,  or  shooting  glances  far, 

How  beautiful  his  eyes, 
That  blend  the  nature  of  the  star 

With  that  of  summer  skies! 
I  speak  as  if  of  sense  beguiled; 

Uncounted  months  are  gone, 
Yet  am  I  with  the  Jewish  Child, 

That  exquisite  Saint  John. 

I  see  the  dark  brown  curls,  the  brow, 

The  smooth,  transparent  skin, 
Refined,  as  with  intent  to  show 

The  holiness  within; 
The  grace  of  parting  Infancy 

By  blushes  yet  untamed; 
Age  faithful  to  the  mother's  knee, 

Nor  of  her  arms  ashamed. 

; 
Two  lovely  Sisters,  still  and  sweet 

As  flowers,  stand  side  by  side; 
Their  soul-subduing  looks  might  cheat 

The  Christian  of  his  pride: 
Such  beauty  hath  the  Eternal  poured 

Upon  them  not  forlorn, 
Though  of  a  lineage  once  abhorred, 

Nor  yet  redeemed  from  scorn. 

Mysterious  safeguard,  that,  in  spite 

Of  poverty  and  wrong, 
Doth  here  preserve  a  living  light, 

From   Hebrew  fountains  sprung; 
That  gives  the  ragged  group  to  cast 

Around  the  dell  a  gleam 
Of  Palestine,  of  glory  past, 

And  proud  Jerusalem ! 

WILLIAM   WORDSWORTH. 

633 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Rebecca,  the  Jewess 

/CLOSED  are  the  tear-gates  of  Paradise  now, 
^  And  the  shadows  of  death  lie  cold  on  the  brow 

Of  Rebecca,  the  Jewess  so  fair; 
And  her  dark  eyes  that  sparkled  than  diamonds  more 

bright, 

Have  paled  the  soft  rays  of  their  pure,  living  light, 
And  vacant  they  gaze  as  a  lone  star  of  night, 

When  '  darkness  is  filling  the  air, — 

The  balmy,  the  soft  summer  air. 

Weep,    daughters  of  Zion!     Weep,  chosen   of   God! 

For  the  morrow  shall  moulder,  beneath  the  cold  clod, 
The  form  of  the  spirit  that's  fled! 

Wreathe  the  dark  hair  of  the  maiden  laid  low, 

Spread  violets  over  her  bosom  of  snow, 

And  lay  her  down  peacefully,  calmly,  below 

The   green   winding-sheet   of   the   dead, 
The  flower-decked  robe  of  the  dead. 

There  let  her  sleep,  till  the  last  trump  shall  sound 
The  call  of  the  dead,  that  slumber  around 

Earth's  green  hills,  and  by  its  streams; 
Waked  by  the  voice  of  the  Angel  of  Doom, 
Then  may  she  burst  in  the  dark  gates  of  the  tomb, 
Arrayed  in  white  robes,  and  radiant  with  bloom 

To  sing  in  the  Land  of  Dreams, — 

The  beautiful  Land  of  Dreams. 

CLARK  B.  COCHRANE. 

The  American  Jewess 

r\  YOUNGEST  daughter  of  thy  ancient  race, 
^        In  thy  behalf  great  progress  has  been  wrought; 
Thou  hast  advanced  unto  a  higher  place 

In  this  free  land  of  stirring  act  and  thought. 
Unhampered  child  of  liberty  art  thou, 

Upon  whom  smiles  each  science  and  each  art; 

634 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  fetters  of  the  past  are  rent  and  now 
Thou  canst  go  freely  forth  and  do  thy  part. 

But  more  than  this  the  present  means  to  thee: 
Thou  art  the  sponsor  of  thy  people's  weal, 

And  thine  the  sacred  privilege  to  be 
The  guardian  spirit  of  its  high  ideai — 

To  seek  the  right,  uphold  the  just,  the  true, 

And  make  of  each  a  better  man,  a  worthier  Jew. 

ALBERT  ULMANN. 


Jewess 

1VTY  dark-browed  daughter  of  the  Sun, 
***•       Dear  Bedouin  of  the  desert  sands, 

Sad  daughter  of  the  ravished  lands, 
Of  savage  Sinai,  Babylon — 
O,  Egypt-eyed,  thou  art  to  me 
A   God-encompassed  mystery. 

I  see  sad  Hagar  in  thy  eyes, 
The  obelisks,  the  pyramids, 
Lie  hid  beneath  thy  drooping  lids, 

The  tawny  Nile  of  Moses  lies 

Portrayed  in  thy  strange  people's  force, 

And  solemn  mystery  of  source. 

The  black  abundance,  of  thy  hair 
Falls  like  some  sad  twilight  of  June 
Above  the  dying  afternoon, 

And  mourns  thy  people's  mute  despair. 

The  large  solemnity  of  night, 

O  Israel,  is  in  thy  sight. 

Then  come  where  stars  of  freedom  spill 
Their  splendor,  Jewess.  In  this  land, 
The  same  broad  hollow  of  God's  hand 

That  held  you   ever,   outholds  still. 

And  whether  you  be  right  or  nay, 

'Tis  God's,  not  Russia's,  here  to  say. 

JOAQUIN  MILLER. 

635 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


The  Jewess 

LJER  hair  is  winged  with  summer  nights, 
•*•  •*•        Her  brow  is  like  the  dawn, 
Her  voice  is  like  an  olden  song 

That  memory  lingers  on, 
And  all  her  movements  are  as  soft 

And  gentle  as  a  fawn. 

A  lovely  mild,  and  winsome  girl 
Of  strange  and  Eastern  grace — 

I  thought,  "How  happy  art  thou,  child 
In  whom  all  gifts  find  place," 

Till  deep  within  her  eyes  I  saw 
The  story  of  her  race. 

ALLAN  DAVIS. 


Orient  ale 

G  HE'S  an  enchanting  little  Israelite, 

^       A  world  of  hidden  dimples! — Dusky-eyed, 
A  starry-glancing  daughter  of  the  Bride — 

With  hair  escaped  from  some  Arabian  Night; 

Her  lip  is  red,  her  cheek  is  golden-white, 
Her  nose  a  scimitar;  and,  set  aside 
The  bamboo  hat  she  cocks  with  so  much  pride, 

Her  dress  a  dream  of  daintiness  and  delight. 

And  when  she  passes  with  the  dreadful  boys 

And  romping  girls,  the  cockneys  loud  and  crude, 

My  thought  to  the  Minories  tied,  but  moved  to  range 
The  Land  o'  the  Sun,  commingles  with  the  noise 
Of  magian  drums  and  scents  of  sandal-wood, 

A  touch  Sidonian,  modern,  taking,  strange. 

WILLIAM  HENLEY. 


636 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

An  Oriental  Maiden 

HTHOU  fairest  one  of  Judah's  daughters, 

I  would  thy  lover  be; 
Oh,  may  thy  heart  be  free  from  others, 

And  treasured  but  for  me. 
I  fain  would  see  thy  brown  eyes  brighten, 

Which  all  their  love  disclose; 
To  see  thy  cheeks,  their  colors  brighten, 

Like  tintings  on  the  rose. 

Thou  maiden  rare,  of  ancient  nation, 

Thy  soul  is  dear  to  me ; 
And  does  my  heart,  with  each  pulsation, 

Beat  every  stroke  for  thee. 
Then  grant  the  boon,  I  ask  thy  favor, 

And  give  thy  word  to-day, 
Oh,  let  me  come,  thy  truest  lover, 

And  bid  me  not  away.     J.  O.  JENKYNS. 


The  Maid  of  the  Ghetto 

CAD  eyes  and  dark  she  bends  upon  the  throng, 
~        Man's  exile  and  Earth's  alien  in  all  lands! 
Her  ears  drink  up  the  street's  tempestuous  song, 

And  all  its  currents  lave  her  where  she  stands. 
Not  Time  nor  Place  shall  rob  her  of  her  dower 

For  rooted  in  her  long  remembrance  dwell 
The  days  of  glory  and  the  realms  of  power, 

The  temples  and  the  tribes  of  Israel. 

Not  this  crushed,  driven  multitude  she  sees, 

But  priests  and  patriarchs  that  chant  their  psalms 

Not  these  stark  walls  of  brick,  but,  all  at  ease, 
Her  white-robed  sisters  by  the  springs  and  palms. 

And  phantoms  out  of  ancient  days  returning, 
Light  up  the  amber  vastness  of  her  land ; 

Oblivious  to  this  Stygian  asphalt  burning, 

.     Her  feet  are  cool  on  Jordan's  silver  sand. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Disparted  long  and  reft  from  Palestine, 

Lorn  maiden  of  Judaea,  dost  thoii  wait 
By  these  strange  walls  of  ages  reared  between 

Thee  and  some  lover  sealed  and  consecrate? 
Dost  thou  seek  here  his  face  amidst  these  faces, 

His  form  from  out  this  hurrying,  sullen  press, 
Or  is  thy  mystic  longing  but  thy  race's — 

Thou  living  statue  of  its  mute  distress? 

Thou  dusk-eyed  daughter  of  Eternity, 

Thou  standest  in  the  Visible  and  Now; 
The  Past  hath  locked  its  mystery  in  thee, 

And  Orient  suns  have  rolled  athwart  thy  brow. 
Thy  face  foreshadows  fruitful  generations, 

O  nymph  of  Jewry  from  the  iron  lands! — 
Art  thou  some  Esther  in  the  house  of  nations, — 

Some  Judith  with  a  falchion  in  her  hands? 

ANONYMOUS. 

The  Jewish  Mother 

A    STAR  of  guidance  o'er  Life's  troubled  ocean, 
*"•       A  sunbeam  flashing  tempest-clouds  in  twain, 
The  wafted  fragrance  deepening,  soul-emotion 
The  benediction  won  from  heights  of  pain. 

A  voice  familiar  with  melodious  calling; 

A  solemn  adjuration  from  on  High  ; 
A  veiled  and  tender  glory,  earthward  falling 

From  unseen  altars,  'neath  eternal  sky. 

Pathetic  memories  of  a  father's  blessing, 

When  thornless  roses  crowned  the  lifted  head ; 

The  gentle  touch  of  mother-hands  caressing, 
Ere  cypress  paths  to  desert-wanderings  led. 

All-conquering  joy  of  new-found  inspiration, 
That  healing  balm  pours  on  the  longing  breast ; 

The  life  ennobles  that  in  consecration 
Keeps  evermore  the  day  of  holy  rest. 

A  DAUGHTER  OF  JUDAH. 

638 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Like  unto  Sharon  s  Roses 

1WTY  darling,  your  grace 

***•  And  the  bloom  of  your  face 

Are  sweet  as  of  Sharon  the  roses,  .  .  . 
And  a  radiance  rare 
Illumines  your  hair 

As  verdure  where  moonlight  reposes ; 
And  your  cadence  is  low 
As  Jordan's  still  flow 

When  twilight  day's  revelry  closes. 

My  darling,  your  blush 
Is  like  morning's  full  flush 

When  over  Mount  Hermon  he's  scaling, 
And  the  dream  in  your  eye 
Is  like  Galilee's  sky 

When  only  one  cloudlet  is  sailing, 
And  the  lure  of  your  smile 
My  sadness  beguile 

And  raise  me  from  doubting  and  failing. 

RUFUS  LEARSI. 

. 
/  saw  a  Maiden  Sweet  and  Fair 

I   SAW  a  maiden  sweet  and  fair 
*       Of  an  ancient  wand'ring  nation, 
Her  simple  garb  the  signs  did  bear 
Of  poor  and  humble  station. 

Knew  she  some  other  clime  but  late, 

This  meek  and  gentle  maiden  ? 
Methought  I  marked  her  people's  fate, 

On  her  black  tresses  laden. 

I  looked  into  her  great  dark  eyes, 

Demure  and  sparkling  tender; 
They  gazed  serene  as  May-day  skjes, 

In  calm  and  cloudless  splendor. 

639 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yet  oft  some  inner  mood  would  cast 

A  sadness  o'er  her  glances, 
As  flits  a  swallow's  shadow  past 

A  brook  where  sunlight  dances. 

RUFUS  LEARSI. 


Lines  to  a  Jewish   Child 

|N  the  dark  depths  of  those  great  soulful  eyes, 

My  little  Hebrew  lad,  I  fain  would  read 
The  marvelous  history  of  thy  marvelous  race; 
The  patience,  silent  suffering,  cruel  wrongs, 
The  courage  shrinking  not  from  tortuous  death ; 
The  constancy  that  wavers  not  or  turns, 
The  faith  and  trust  of  deep  devotion  born, 
The  hope  that  triumphs  over  every  woe, 
The  love  of  kindred,  reverence  for  age, 
The  virtues  manifold  that  make  thy  race. 

Truly,  God's  chosen  people  these  must  be, 

Else  long  since  had  they  perished  from  the  earth. 

When  blushing  I  recall  the  insults  foul 

That  we  have  heaped  on  them  in  Christ's  dear  name, 

And  think  how  meekly  they  that  own  not  Christ 

Have  suffered  all  and  struggled  bravely  on, 

Through  sorrow,  persecution,  torture,  death — 

I  can  conceive,  my  little  Hebrew  lad, 

What  pride  a  Jew  must  feel  to  be  a  Jew ! 

C.  D. 


Rachel 
I 

IN  Paris  all  look'd  hot  and  like  to  fade. 
*        Sere,  in  the  garden  of  the  Tuileries, 

Sere,  with  September,  droop'd  the  chestnut-trees. 
'Twas  dawn;  a  brougham  roll'd  through  the  streets 
and  made 

640 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Halt  at  the  white  and  silent  colonnade 

Of  the  French  Theatre.     Worn  with  disease, 
Rachel,  with  eyes  no  gazing  can  appease, 

Sate  in  the  brougham  and  those  blank  walls  survey'd. 

She  follows  the  gay  world,  whose  swarms  have  fled 
To  Switzerland,  to  Baden,  to  the  Rhine; 
Why  stops  she  by  this  empty  play-house  drear  ? 

Ah,  where  the  spirit  its  highest  life  hath  led, 

All  spots,  match'd  with  that  spot,  are  less  divine; 

And  Rachel's  Switzerland  her  Rhine  is  here! 

II 

Unto  a  lovely  villa,  in  a  dell 

Above  the  fragrant  warm  Provengal  shore, 
The  dying  Rachel  in  a  chair  they  bore 

Up  the  steep  pine-plumed  paths  of  the  Estrelle, 

And  laid  her  in  a  stately  room,  where  fell 
The  shadow  of  a  marble  Muse  of  yore, 
The  rose-crown'd  queen  of  legendary  lore, 

Polymnia,  full  on  her  death-bed. — 'Twas  well ! 

The  fret  and  misery  of  our  northern  towns, 

In  this  her  life's  last  day,  our  poor,  our  pain, 
Our  jangle  of  false  wits,  our  climate's  frowns, 

Do  for  this  radiant  Greek-soul'd  artist  cease; 

Sole  object  of  her  dying  eyes  remain 
The  beauty  and  the  glorious  art  of  Greece. 

Ill 

Sprung  from  the  blood  of  Israel's  scatter'd  race, 
At  a  mean  inn  in  German  Aarau  born, 
To  forms  from  antique  Greece  and  Rome  uptorn, 

Trick'd  out  with  a  Parisian  speech  and  face, 

641 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Imparting  life  renew'd,  old  classic  grace; 

Then,  soothing  with  thy  Christian  strain  forlorn, 
A-Kempis!  her  departing  soul  outworn, 

While  by  her  bedside  Hebrew  rites  have  place — 

Ah,  not  the  radiant  spirit  of  Greece  alone 
She  had — one  power,  which  made  her  breast  its  home! 
In  her,  like  us,  there  clash'd,  contending  powers, 

Germany,  France,  Christ,  Moses,  Athens,  Rome. 
The  strife,  the  mixture  in  her  soul,  are  ours; 
Her  genius  and  her  glory  are  her  own. 

MATTHEW  ARNOLD. 


Rachel 

"W7HEN  Memnon's  sculptured  form  the  god  of  day 
**         Touched  from  the  orient  gate  with  glance  of 

fire, 

As  from  the  golden  harps  that  seraphs  play — 

Burst  heavenly  music  from  that  'silent  lyre. 

Thus  caught  the  chiselled  grace  of  ancient  art 

Life  from  your  touch,  and  beauty  breathing  soul; 
Thus  woke  to  startled  life  the  panting  heart 

That  ne'er   before   knew  passion's  wild   control, 
Woke  to  the  light  of  grace  and  love  and  power 
That  ever  holds  enshrined  your  honored  name. 
What  garland,  woven  in  the  Muses'  bower, 

Can  match  the  meed  of  such  a  glorious  fame? 
Queen  of  the  realm  of  passion  and  of  thought, 

What  victor   monarch's  crown   is  with   such   gems 
enwrought. 

ANONYMOUS. 


642 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Kalich,  Inheritor  of  Tragedy 

V^ALICH,  thou  of  the  dark  and  brooding  face, 
"•  Born  unto  Tragedy  by  birthright  of  race, 
The  sorrows  of  uncounted  years  arise 
And  plead  for  utterance  in  thy  mournful  eyes, 
And  on  thy  lips,  so  poignant  sweet  with  pain, 
God's  stamp  of  suffering  marks  thy  calling  plain. 

So  stood  Rachel,  of  thy  blood,  in  her  day, 
So  Bernhardt,  of  that  blood,  holds  now  her  sway. 
And  thou,  full  sister  of  these  mighty  two, 
The  same  blood-heritage  claimeth  as  thy  due. 

Valid  thy  claim.     The  centuries'  seal  is  set 
Upon  its  warrant.     Tears  and  blood  have  wet 
Its  ancient  and  its  modern  countersigns. 
Sorrow  unspeakable  breathes  between  its  lines, 
Where,  down  to  Kishinev's  cruel  days,  is  told 
A  nation's  woe  that  dates  from  Egypt  old. 

To  thee  descended — Lo,  how  dread  the  cry 

That  rises  from  thy  throat !     How  tense  and  high 

With  strain  of  agony !     Not  alone  the  part 

That  now  thou  playest  thus  doth  wring  thy  heart, 

But  all  thy  people's  grief,  accumulate, 

Sounds   in    thy   voice,    till,   with    race    anguish    great, 

Thou  speakest  not  even  one  little,  broken  word, 

But  Tragedy's  supremest  note  is  heard. 

This,  then,  the  price  of  glory  to  thy  name — 
How  dire  the  cost,  how  bitter  high  the  game, 
O,  Kalich,  on  whose  soul  the  forfeit  lies 
Of  genius  born  from  world-old  sacrifice! 
We  yield  us  to  the  magic  of  thy  spell, 
With  our  applause  the  playhouse  echoes  swell, 
We  sound  the  praises  of  thy  tragic  power — 
Yet  still  how  bare,  how  empty,  thy  full  hour! 

643 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

What  wonder,  then  that  even  at  Fame's  full  flood, 
Thy  eyes  still  bear  mute  witness  to  thy  blood, 
Sombre  with  persecution — its  wan  sign 
Still  resting  on  those  piteous  lips  of  thine, 
O,  Kalich,  thou  in  whom  all  Israel's  woe, 
Concentrate,  makes  the  Genius-Gift  we  know ! 

RIPLEY  D.  SAUNDERS. 


To  the  Memory  of  Grace  Aguilar 

Author  of  "Woman's  Friendship,"  "Vale  of  Cedars," 
etc.,  etc. 

AND  thou  art  gone,  Grace  Aguilar, 
The  "Darling"  of  the  race; 
Child  of  the  "hated,"  thou  wert  one 

E'en  any  sphere  to  grace; 
And  O,  like  her,  proud  Hebrew  maid, 

Thou  didst  awake  a  cry, 
Pure  as  the  northern  peasant  was,    • 
Is  chronicled  on  high. 

For  though  destruction's  bosom  swept 

Thy  children  o'er  the  earth, 
They  yet  shall  worship  in  the  land 

Which  gave  their  fathers  birth ; 
And  Zion's  song  shall  yet  be  deemed 

Acceptable  to  God, 
And  Zion's  maidens  sweetly  dance 

On  Jordan's  hallow'd  sod. 

And,  lovely  one,  like  Wilberforce, 

Thou  scarce  didst  live  to  see 
Thy  prayer  fulfill'd,  the  fact'ry  child 

From  slavery  set  free. 
Like  "Darling"  thou  didst  raise  the  cry, 

The  helpless  heard  thy  voice, 
And  hoping  still,  thou  help'dst  them  on, 

And  bade  their  souls  rejoice. 

644 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

I  mourn  for  thee,  my  sister  friend, 

As  kindred  in  that  art 
Which  is  Divine — a  holy  tie 

No  human  pow'r  can  part. 
When  first  my  muse  essay'd  to  sing, 

'Neath  Wilson's  fostering  care, 
Thou,  too  didst  grace  the  glowing  page, 

And  Youatt's  name  was  there. 

We  knew  no  creed,  save  that  which  bound 

Our  souls  in  ties  as  strong 
As  revelation  e'er  proclaimed 

Or  grac'd  the  Psalmist's  song; 
Onward  we  went,  one  hope  in  view, 

Both  pilgrims  on  the  road, 
Towards  the  "everlasting  towers," 

"The  city  of  our  God." 

Peace  to  thine  ashes !    May  there  rise 

From  out  thine  ashes  now, 
A  genius  of  thy  race,  as  bright, 

As  purely  bright  as  thou. 
And  when  our  earthly  race  is  o'er, 

O  may  we  meet  above, 
And  join  the  bright-robed  heav'nly  throng 

Who  sing  that  "God  is  Love."  ' 

ANONYMOUS. 


Moses  Mendelssohn 

,  through  a  night  of  darkness  and  of  shadow, 
A  brilliant  star  swept  softly  into  sight ; 
It  scattered  out  its  beams  like  silv'ry  lances, 
And,  in  its  pathway,  left  a  streak  of  light. 
But,  when  the  rosy  blushes  of  the  morning 

Broke  over  earth,  the  star  had  passed  away; 
And  yet  its  light  still  travels  down  to  mankind 
Through  endless  dawnings  of  the  golden  day. 

645 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Once,  through  an  age  of  mental  gloom  and  shadow, 

When   ignorance   and   superstition   reigned, 
When  only  those  upon  the  heights  of  fortune 

A  glimpse  of  light- — of  grace  and  culture  gained, 
There  dawned  for  Israel  a  star  of  glory 

Whose  friendly  beam  through  doubt  and  darkness 

shone, 
And  led  the  gaze  of  mankind  to  the  hill-tops ; — 

This  star  of  light  was  Moses  Mendelssohn. 

Poor  Israel  was  then  despised — rejected! 

For  prejudice  had  built  a  boundless  wall 
O'er  which  no  tendril  of  a  common  feeling 

Could  twine  itself, — no  ray  of  sunlight  fall; 
Cut  from  the  world, — its  gladness  and  its  sorrow — 

Poor  patient  souls,  unconscious  of  their  plight, 
Submissive  with  the  patience  of  the  sightless, 

Whose  eyes  have  ne'er  beheld  the  blessed  light. 

And  then  came  Mendelssohn;  O  God,  and  Father, 

We  thank  thee  for  this  blessing  to  our  race, 
We,  who  to-day,  in  every  art  and  science 

Hold  an  exalted  and  an  honored  place! 
For  only  progress  brought  to  us  our  freedom, 

And  only  Culture,  as  she  scanned  the  Jew, 
Could  see  and  recognize  the  kindred  spirit 

That  loves  the  good,  the  beautiful,   the  true. 

And  Mendelssohn  it  was  who  broke  the  fetters 

That  tyranny  had  strengthened  year  by  year ; 
'Twas  he  who  smote  upon  the  rock  of  knowledge 

And  freed  for  us  its  water,  sweet  and  clear; 
And  lifting  up  our  thoughts  to  vaster  issues, 

Our  fair  ideals  to  heights  before  unknown, 
Stood  by  our  side,   a  Jew  compelling  nations 

To  honor  all  the  race  he  called  his  own. 

O,  when  can  Germany  e'er  cease  to  cherish 
The  "Nathan  Wise"  its  Lessing's  graphic  pen 

646 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Has  drawn  in  glowing  and  immortal  colors, 
And  held  before  the  wond'ring  eyes  of  men ! 

The  gentle  sage,  the  friend  of  prince  and  poet, 
Whose  every  word  ennobled  and  refined,  v  J 

Who  seemed  to  stand  upon  some  mental  summit 
And  smile  upon  the  factions  of  mankind. 

Unsightly  and  deformed  the  sufFring  body, 

But,  from  the  thoughtful  eyes  and  noble  face 
The  glory  of  the  soul  shone  out  in  splendor,- — 

A  glowing  gem  in  its  translucent  case ! 
And  all  the  earth  appeared  to  him  in  beauty, 

For  o'er  his  heart-strings  trembled,  even  then, 
The  heav'ly  melody  with  which  his  offspring 

Soothed  and  enslaved  the  ardent  hearts  of  men. 

O,  monarch  in  the  realm  of  thought  and  reason ! 

O,  high-priest  in  the  temple  of  the  soul ! 
Thy  hymn  of  progress,  tolerance  and  freedom, — 

Through  endless  ages  shall  its  echoes  roll ! 
Thou  couldst  not  prove  to  us  that  mental  culture 

And  Judaism  never  are  at  strife, 
Nor  show  us  immortality  more  clearly 

Than  by  the  beauty  of  thy  glorious  life! 

A  century  has  passed  on  restless  pinions 

Since  death  removed  thine  image  from  the  earth; 
An  era  of  enlightenment  and  progress 

Has  taught  us  to  appreciate  thy  worth  ; 
Look  down  and  guide  us  from  thy  home  in  heaven 

To  nobler  deeds  than  we  have  ever  known ; 
The  purest  thought — the  broader  field  of  action 

Should  mark  thy  people,  Moses  Mendelssohn! 

MIRIAM  DEL  BANCO. 


647- 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Heine 

OD  said:  "I  will  make  a  poet," 

And  a  soul  was  sent  below 
With   the  singer's  wings  of  rapture, 
With  the  sufferer's  weight  of  woe. 

God  laid  on  the  eyes  the  poet's 

Awful  gift  of  second  sight, 
On  the  restless,  questioning  spirit, 

All  the  blackness  of  the  night. 

On  the  body,  pangs  of  torture, 

Hell's  own  pains  and  love's  sharp  sting; 
Doubt  you  woe  must  dow'r  the  poet? 

Hush,  draw  close  and  hear  him  sing! 

A,  R.  ALDRICH. 


Heine 

TMOR  life  nor  death  had  any  peace  for  thee, 

Seeing  thy  mother  cast  thee  forth,  a  prey 
To  wind  and  water,  till  we  bade  thee  stay 

And  rest,  a  pilgrim  weary  of  the  sea. 

But  now  it  seems  that  on  thine  effigy 

Thy  very  host  an  impious  hand  would  lay: 
Go  then  and  wander,  praising  on  thy  way 

The  proud  Republic's  hospitality! 

Yet  oft  with  us  wreathed  brow  must  suffer  wrong, 
The  sad  Enchanter  of  the  land  of  Weir 
Is  still  uncrowned,  unreverenced,  and  we  fear 
The  Lords  of  Gold  above  the  Lords  of  Song, 
Were  it  not  strange,  then,  should  we  honor  more 
The  sweet-mouthed  singer  of  a  foreign  shore? 

GEORGE  SYLVESTER  VIERECK. 


648 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Heinrich  Heine 

I 

CON  of  a  mystic  race,  he  came 

^  When  Europe  faltered  at  one  name, 

And,  to  his  youthful  eyes,  the  sun 

Darkened  before  Napoleon. 

France  brought  his  freedom,  but  it  brought 

To  Germany  the  years  that  wrought 

Her  shame,  her  bondage,  her  despair — 

Thus  in  the  quiet  Rhineland  air 

A  deep  division  drew  apart 

The  fighter's  and  the  poet's  heart. 

II 

The  poet  heard  the  linden  croon 
Tragic  old  ditties  to  the  moon, 
And  sang  with  clear  authentic  voice 
The  music  of  his  country's  choice. 
He  knew  the  forest  of  romance, 
The  haunting  wail,  the  elfin  dance, 
The  wounded  heart,  the  magic  lance, 
And  first  on  German  Islands  he 
Heard  echoes  of  the  Odyssey 
Sonorous  in  the  Northern  Sea. 

Ill 

Then,  as  he  dreamed,  the  loud  world's  brood 

Cried  out,  the  visionary  mood 

Broke,  and  the  poet  in  Jiis  fear 

Bade  poisoned  arrows  sing  and  sear. 

God  touched  him.    From  his  couch  of  pain 

He  sang,  he  fought,  and  in  his  strain 

Thunder  of  olden  battles  stirred 

By  prophets  in  Judea  heard. 

God  touched  him,  but  his  long  repose 

Is  broken  still  by  clamorous  foes. 

649 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

IV 

Yet  battle  dies,  and  song  alone 

With  the  Eternal  is  at  one — 

Great  verse  that  is  the  warder  of 

Justice   and   wisdom,    truth   and   love, 

And  of  that  beauty  in  all  lands,. 

Not  seen  of  eyes,  not  made  with  hands, 

Whose  harmony  can  so  control 

The  sanctuary  of  the  soul, 

That  we  must  know  its  prophets  still 

The  child  of  a  diviner  will. 

LUDWIG  LEWISOHN. 

To  Helnrlch  Heine 

A  WAKE  to  lyric  rapture  once  again, 
"^*        Great   German  bard!     Not   in   resurgent 

France 

Shall  thy  proud  spirit  rally  from  its  trance 
But  in  the  Rhineland  where  the  sabres  glance ; 
Where  spring  to  arms,  each  day,  a  myriad  men. — 
There  now  they  need  thy  patriotic  pen: 
Its  caustic  wit,  so  dagger-keen  and  bold 
That  erstwhile  smote  with  such  relentless  zeal 
Yet  had  the  art  of  tenderness  to  heal. 
Once  more  thy  sweet-voiced  Lorelei  shall  steal 
Into  the  nation's  heart,  whose  tales  were  told 
By  thee,  dear  Troubador,  in  rhymes  of  gold — 
And  then  thy  matchless  minstrelsy  shall  bring 
The  Fatherland  swift  healing  on  its  wing. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 

Ernest  Renqn 

"TRUTH  is  an  idol,"  spake  the  Christian  age. 

"Thou  shalt  not  worship  Truth  divorced  from 
Love. 

Truth  is  but  God's  reflection:  Look  above!" 
So  Pascal  wrote,  and  still  we  trace  the  page. 

650 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

"Truth  is  divine,"  said  Plato,  "but  on  high 
She  dwells,  and  few  may  be  her  ministers, 
For  truth  is  sad  and  lonely  and  diverse; 

Heal  thou  the  weakling  with  a  generous  lie!" 

But  thou  in  Truth  delightedst!     Thou  of  soul 
As  subtle-shimmering  as  the  rainbow  mist, 
And  still  in  all  her  service  didst  persist. 

For  me  One  truth  thou  livedst,  but  the  Whole. 

MARY  DARMESTETER. 


The  Jews'  Cemetery  on  the  Lido 

A     TRACT  of  land  swept  by  the  salt  seafoam, 
•**•       Fringed  with  acacia  flowers  and  billowy  deep, 

In  meadow-grasses,  where  tall  poppies  sleep, 
And  bees  athirst  for  wilding  honey  roam, 
How  many  a  bleeding  heart  hath  found  its  home, 
Under  these  hillocks  which  the  seamews  sweep ! 
Here  knelt  an  outcast  race  to  curse  and  weep, 
Age  after  age,  'neath  heaven's  unanswering  dome. 

Sad  is  the  place  and  solemn.     Grave  by  grave, 
Lost  in  the  dunes,  with  rank  weeds  overgrown, 
Pines  in  abandonment ;  as  though  unknown, 

Uncared  for,  lay  the  dead,  whose  records  pave 
This  path  neglected;  each  forgotten  stone 

Wept  by  no  mourner  but  the  moaning  wave. 

JOHN  ADDINGTON  SYMONDS. 


The  Jewish   Cemetery  at  Newport 

L_IOW  strange  it  seems!     These  Hebrews  in  their 
graves, 

Close  by  the  street  of  this  fair  seaport  town, 
Silent  beside  the  never-silent  waves, 

At  rest  in  all  this  moving  up  and  down ! 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The  trees  are  white  with  dust,  that  o'er  their  sleep 
Wave    their    broad    curtains    in    the    south-wind's 
breath, 

While  underneath  such  leafy  tents  they  keep 
The  long,  mysterious  Exodus  of  Death. 

And  these  sepulchral  stones,  so  old  and  brown, 
That  pave  with  level  flags  their  burial-place, 

Seem  like  the^  tablets  of  the  Law,  thrown-down 
And  broken  by  Moses  at  the  mountain's  base. 

The  very  names  recorded  here  are  strange, 
Of  foreign  accent,  and  of  different  climes; 

Alvares  and  Rivera  interchange 

With  Abraham  and  Jacob  of  old  times. 

"Blessed  be  God !  for  he  created  death !" 

The  mourners  said,  "and  Death  is  rest  and  peace" ; 
Then  added,  in  the  certainty  of  faith, 

"And  giveth  Life  that  nevermore  shall  cease." 

Closed  are  the  portals  of  their  Synagogue, 
No  Psalms  of  David  now  the  silence  break, 

No  Rabbi  reads  the  ancient  Decalogue 
In  the  grand  dialect  the  Prophets  spake. 

Gone  are  the  living,  but  the  dead  remain, 

And  not  neglected ;  for  a  hand  unseen, 
Scattering  its  bounty,  like  a  summer  rain, 

Still  keeps  their  graves  and  their  remembrance  green. 

How  came  they  here?     What  burst  of  Christian  hate, 

What  persecution,  merciless  and  blind, 
Drove  o'er  the  sea — that  desert  desolate — 

These  Ishmaels  and  Hagars  of  mankind? 

They  lived  in  narrow  streets  and  lanes  obscure, 
Ghetto  and  Judenstrass,  in  mirk  and  mire; 

Taught  in  the  school  of  patience  to  endure 
The  life  of  anguish  and   the   death  of  fire. 

652 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

All  their  lives  long,  with  the  unleavened  bread 
And  bitter  herbs  of  exile  and  its  fears, 

The  wasting  famine  of  the  heart  they  fed, 

And  slaked  its  thirst  with  marah  of  their  tears. 

Anathema  maranatha !  was  the  cry 

That  rang  from  town  to  town,  from  street  to  street ; 
At  every  gate  the  accursed  Mordecai 

Was  mocked  and  jeered,  and  spurned  by  Christian 
feet. 

Pride  and  humiliation  hand  in  hand 

Walked  with  them  through  the  world  where'er  they 

went ; 
Trampled  and  beaten  were  they  as  the  sand, 

And  yet  unshaken  as  the  continent. 

For  in  the  background  figures  vague  and  vast 
Of  patriarchs  and  of  prophets  rose  sublime, 

And  all  the  great  traditions  of  the  Past 
They  saw  reflected  in  the  coming  time. 

And  thus  forever  with  reverted  look 

The  mystic  volume  of  the  world  they  read, 

Spelling  it  backward,  like  a  Hebrew  book,' 
Till  life  became  a  Legend  of  the  Dead. 

But  ah !  what  once  has  been  shall  be  no  more ! 

The  groaning  earth  in  travail  and  in  pain 
Brings  forth  its  races,  but  does  not  restore, 

And  the  dead  nations  never  rise  again. 

HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFELLOW. 


France's  Shame 

r"PALK  not  of  Christian  France,  lest  mantling  shame 
*•     Glow  in  its  fiery  blush  to  burning  flame, 
And  on  the  altar  of  the  wide  world's  ire 
Doom  French  injustice  to  eternal  fire. 

653 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

With  public  scorn  we  loath  the  vengeful  lust 

In  which  French  soldiers  have  betrayed  their  trust, 

And  bide  the  time  when  in  the  coming  years 

Her  infamy  is  purged  with  bloody  tears. 

All  nations  call  for  justice  to  the  Jew, 

Condemn  the  false,  and  magnify  the  true. 

'Tis  Israel's  triumph,  never  more  complete; 

"Conviction"  has  brought  victory,  to  France,   defeat. 

The  world  judges,  France  now  bears  the  shame 

And  Dreyfus  glories  in  unsullied  name. 

Let  God  avenge  and  man  restrain  his  hate, 

Jehovah's  justice  is  immaculate; 

Abide  in  faith  and  in  the  end  we  must 

See  France  degraded,  humbled  in  the  dust. 

B.  B.  USHER. 


To  Dreyfus  Vindicated 

O  OLDIER  of  Justice — fighting  with  her  sword 

^   Since  thine  was  broken!     Who  need  now  despair 

To  lead  a  hope  forlorn  against  the  throng? 

For  what  did  David  dare 

Before  Goiiath  worthy  this  compare — 

Thou  in  the  darkness  fronting  leagued  wrong? 

What  true  and  fainting  cause  shall  not  be  heir 

Of  all  thy  courage — more  than  miser's  hoard? 

In  times  remote,  when  some  preposterous  ill 
Man  has  not  yet  imagined,  shall  be  King, 

While  comfortable  Freedom  nods — 
And  Three  shall  meet  to  slay  the  usurping  thing, 
Thy  name  recalled  shall  clinch  their  potent  will, 
And  as  they  cry,  "He  won — what  greater  odds!" 

They  shall  become  as  gods. 

#  #  *  *  * 

Ours,  too,  thy  champions!     Who  shall  dare  to  say 
The  sordid  time  doth  lack  of  chivalry. 
When  men  thus  all  renounce,  all  cast  away, 

654 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

To  walk  with  martyrs  through  a  flaming  sea! 

Picquart! — how  jealously  will  Life  patrol 

The  paths  of  peril  whither  he  is  sent. 

•     Zola ! — too  early  gone ! 

Whose  taking  even  Death  might  well  repent, 

Though  'twas  to  enrich  that  greater  Pantheon 
Where  dwell  the  spirits  of  the  brave  of  soul. 

#  *  *  #  * 

ENVOI 

Oh !  tremble,  all  oppressors,  where  ye  be — 

Throne,  Senate,  mansion,  mart,  or  factory; 

One  against  many,  many  against  few! 

Ye  poor,  once  crushed,  that  crush  your  own  anew; 

Ye  vulgar  rich,  now  risen  from  the  mud, 

Despoilers  of  the  flower  in  the  bud: 

For  justice  is  the  orbit  of  God's  day, 

And  He  hath  promised  that  He  will  repay. 

ROBERT  UNDERWOOD  JOHNSON. 

3 

Dreyfus 

I 

A    MAN  stood  stained !    France  was  one  Alp  of  hate, 
•**  Pressing  upon  him  with  its  iron  weight. 
In  all  the  circle  of  the  ancient  sun, 
There  was  no  voice  to  speak  for  him — not  one. 
In  all  the  world  of  men  there  was  no  sound 
But  of  a  sword  flung  broken  to  the  ground. 

'  'Tis  done!"  they  said,  "unless  a  felon  soul 
Can  tear  the  leaves  out  of  the  Judgment  Scroll." 

Hell  laughed  a  little  season,  then  behold 
How  one  by  one  the  gates  of  God  unfold ! 
Swiftly  a  sword  by  Unseen  Forces  hurled, 
And  then  a  man  rising  against  the  world ! 

655 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

II 

Oh,  import  deep  as  life  is,  deep  as  time ! 
There  is  a  Something  sacred  and  sublime, 
Moving  behind  the  worlds,  beyond  our  ken, 
Weighing  the  stars,  weighing  the  deeds  of  men. 

Take  heart,  O  world  of  sorrow,  and  be  strong: 
There  is  One  greater  than  the  whole  world's  wrong, 
Be  hushed  before  the  high,  benignant  Power 
That  goes  untarrying  to  the  reckoning  hour. 

O  men  that  forge  the  fetter,  it  is  vain; 
There  is  a  Still  Hand  stronger  than  your  chain, 
'Tis  no  avail  to  bargain,  sneer,  and  nod, 
And  shrug  the  shoulder  for  reply  to  God. 

EDWIN  MARKHAM. 


Dreyfus 

P7RANCE  has  no  dungeons  in  her  island  tomb 

*•      So  deep  that  she  may  hide  her  injustice  there; 

The  cry  of  innocence,  despite  her  care, 
Despite  her  roll  of  drums,  her  cannon's  boom, 
Is  heard  wherever  human  hearts  have  room 

For  sympathy;  a  sob  upon  the  air, 

Echoed  and  re-echoed  everywhere, 

It  swells  and  swells,  a  prophecy  of  doom, 

Thou  latest  victim  of  an  ancient  hate! 
In  agony  so  awfully  alone, 
The  world  forgets  thee  not,  nor  can  forget. 
Such  martyrdoms  she  feels  to  be  her  own, 
And  sees  involved  in  thine  her  larger  fate; 

She  Questions,  and  thy  foes  shall  answer  yet. 

FLORENCE  EARLE  COATES. 


656 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Let  Us  Forget 

THE  shore  once  won,  who  counts  the  waves? 
•*•     Each  hand,  each  oar,  each  spar  that  saves, 
Record  in  heart — enshrine  in  song; 
But  all  the  weary,  witless  wrong, 
Let  us  forget. 

Father  forgive  them!     Thus  prayed  He, 
Who  drained  the  cup  of  Calvary, 
The  prisoner  of  Devil's  Isle 
May  happy  ask — erect  the  while  — 
Let  us  forget. 

We  "witnesses"  to  "shew  His  praise" 
Must  shew  it  forth  in  divers  ways, 
By  light  of  fame,  or  light  of  fires, — 
All  lower  aims — all  low  desires, 
Let  us  forget. 

The  France  of  Picquart,  Labor! 

And  Zola.     That  is  the  France  we  see; 

The  foolish  few  who  basely  chose 

In  honor's  name,  dishonor — those 

Let  us  forget.  K.  M. 

The  God  of  Israel 

THE  God  of  Israel  sate  on  high, 

And  methought  He  mocked  the  dead; 
The  twisted  limbs  of  agony, 

The  staring  eyes  of  dread, 
The  lips  that  froze  on  a  dying  prayer 

And  blessed  Him  as  they  bled. 

The  God  of  Israel  sate  on  high, 

And  He  mocked  His  people's  trust; 

He  heard  the  tyrant's  blasphemy, 
He  saw  the  Injustice  just; 

He  saw  the  valley  strewn  with  death 
And  the  wind  that  blew  its  dust, 

657 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  raised  my  voice  and  cried  aloud 

(He  smiled  as  if  He  heard)  : 
"Behold,   dishonour  is  their  shroud 

For  that  they  keep  Thy  Word : 
They  strangle  them  with  thongs  of  shame 

Or  hew  them  with  the  sword. 

"With  stripes  and  steel  and  bitter  scorn 
They  trample  down  their  pride; 

The  silent  souls  of  the  yet  unborn 
Lie  maimed  in  the  soul  of  the  bride; 

In  bitterness  their  hearts  awake, 
In  bitterness  abide. 

"In  bitterness,  in  bitterness 

They  gaze  upon  the  past, 
Nor  worship  they  Thy  Word  the  less, 

Nor  scorn  Thy  Word  at  last, 
Who,  free  within  Thy  bounteous  air, 

In  bonds  of  hate  are  cast. 

"For  bonds  that  cleave  the  flesh  are  ill, 

But  other  bonds  are  base 
That  cleave  the  heart's  benignant  will, 

Or  darken  for  a  space 
The  eyes  of  reason  and  of  right." 

Yea,  thus  I  cried  apace. 

The  God  of  Israel  smiled  on  high 

As  on  a  babbling  child ; 
But  I  saw  the  bays  of  victory, 

And  Justice  undefiled, 
And  Mind  and  Honour  hand  in  hand, 

And  Envy  reconciled. 

The  Past  had  doffed  its  robe  of  pain, 

Flung  off  its  mourning-hood, 
When  Joy  upraised  her  veil  again 

And  found  the  Future  good ; 
She  raised  the  folds  of  her  lustrous  cloak 

There — clear-eyed  Duty  stood. 

C.  M.  KOHAN. 

658 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  Jews  in  Russia 

town  and  village  to  a  wood,  stript  bare, 
As  they  of  their  possessions,  see  them  throng, 
Above  them  grows  a  cloud ;  it  moves  along, 
As  flee  they  from  the  circling  wolf  pack's  glare. 
Is  it  their  Broken-Shadow  of  despair, 

The  looming  of  their  life  of  cruel  wrong 
For  countless  ages?     No;  their  faith  is  strong 
In  their  Jehovah ;  that  huge  cloud  is  prayer. 

A  flash  of  light,  and  black  the  despot  lies, 

What  thunder  round  the  world! 
'Tis  transport's  strain 

Proclaiming  loud:  "No  righteous  prayer  is  vain. 
No  God-imploring  tears  are  lost;  they  rise 

Into  a  cloud,  and  in  the  sky  remain, 
Till  they  draw  lightning  from  Jehovah's  eyes." 

EDWARD  DOYLE. 


On' the  Russian  Persecution   of  the  Jews 

SON  of  man,  by  lying  tongues  adored, 
y  slaughterous  hands  of  slaves  with  feet  red-shod 

In  carnage  deep  as  Christian  ever  trod 
Profaned  with  prayer  and  sacrifice  abhorred 
And  incense  from  the  trembling  tyrant's  horde, 

Brute  worshippers  or  wielders  of  the  rod, 

Most  murderous  even  of  all  that  call  thee  God, 
Most  treacherous  even  that  ever  called  thee  Lord ; 
Face  loved  of  little  children  long  ago, 
Head  hated  of  the  priests  and  rulers  then, 

If  thou  see  this,  or  hear  these  hounds  of  thine 

Run  ravening  as  the  Gadarean  swine, 
Say,  was  not  this  thy  Passion,  to  foreknow 

In  death's  wTorst  hour  the  works  of  Christian  men  ? 
ALGERNON  CHARLES  SWINBURNE. 

659 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Russia  and  the  Jews 

r\  MUSCOVITE,  blind  is  your  wrath,  with 
^       Your  heel  on  the  Israelite's  neck, 
And  your  hand  on  that  baleful  old  blade, 

Persecution,  'twere  wisdom  to  reck. 
The   Pharaoh's  calm  warning,    Beware! 

Lo,  the  Pyramids  pierce  that  grey  gloom 
Of  a  desert  that  is  but  a  waste,  by  a  river 

That  is  but  a  tomb, 
Yet  the  Hebrew  abides  and  is  strong. 

PUNCH. 

The  Kishineff  Massacre 

LORD,  Thy  righteous  wrath  and  vengeance  pour 

Upon  the  bloody  horde,  who  in  Thy  name, 
The  sacred  name,  hath  stained  with  crimson  gore 

The  Russian  land  and  filled  Thy  earth  with  shame. 

Let  fall  upon  their  heads  the  bolts  of  flame 
To  teach  the  vile  oppressor,  yet  once  more 
A  living  God  doth  rule  the  nations  o'er — 

A  God  of  strength  and  might  whose  hand  can  tame 
Their  hireling  hearts  and  teach  their  hate  restraint. 
Avenge  Thy  slaughtered  sons,  O  Lord  supreme! 

Their  blood  doth  cry  from  rock  and  vale  and  height ; 
And  Thou,  to  whom  the  sparrow's  piping  plaint 
Is  poignant  as  the  eagle's  piercing  scream, 

Will  not  be  deaf,  but  with  Thy  thunder  smite. 

ROSE  STRAUSS. 


On  the  Massacre 

"V/E  heavens,  pray  for  mercy  on  my  head! 
If  God  abides  in  you,  and  if  a  way 
To  Him  exists,  which  yet  I  have  not  found, 
Do  you  my  prayers  unto  His  ear  convey! 

660 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

For  me,  my  heart  is  dead,  and  no  more  prayers 
Are  on  my  lips,  for  refuge  against  wrong. 

My  strength  is  gone,  and  there  is  no  more  hope. 
How  long  must  we  endure,  how  long,  how  long? 

Headsman,  here  is  an  axe,  arise  and  slay! 

Behead  me  like  a  dog;  so  let  it  be! 
You  have  an  arm,  an  instrument  of  death, 

And  all  the  world  a  scaffold  is  to  me. 

Then  let  red  blood,  the  blood  of  old  and  young, 
Besprinkle  your  red  coat  with  ruddy  gore, 

So  that  the  savage  and  ensanguined  stain 
Shall  not  be  wiped  from  it  forevermore. 

Cursed  be  he  who  for  revenge  cries  out! 

For  slaying  guileless  babes  a  vengeance  meet 
Satan  himself  has  never  yet  devised. 

Then  let  our  blood,  poured  out  beneath  your  feet, 

Sink  penetrating  to  earth's  lowest  depths; 

Let  blood  of  those  who  perished  without  blame 
Sap  and  destroy  the  earth's  foundations  old — 

The  bases  deep  of  wickedness  and  shame. 

CHAYIM  NACHMAN  BYALIK. 


God  and  His  Martyrs 

U*OR  I  have  hither  come,  O  ye  dead  bones, 
•*•     To  beg  of  you,  forgive  me! 
Forgive  your  God,  you  that  are  shamed  forever! 
For  all  your  dark  and  bitter  lives  forgive  me, 
And  for  your  ten  times  dark  and  bitter  death ! 
For  when  you  stand  to-morrow  at  my  threshold, 
When  you  remind  me,  when  you  ask  for  payment, 
I  shall  i)ut  answer  you:  "Come,  see,  I've  nothing!" 
It  cries  to  heaven,  I  hear  it,  but  I've  nothing. 
For  I  am  poor  myself,  I'm  beggared  also. 

661 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  woe  and  woe  and  woe  is  all  my  worlds! 
Let  all  the  seven  heavens  moan  for  pity. 
To  bring  such  sacrifices  all  for  nothing, 
To  live  such  lives  and  die  such  deaths  for  nothing, 
Not  knowing  to  what  end,  for  what,  for  what ! 
Her  head  enwrapped  in  clouds,  my  old  Shekinah 
Shall  sit  for  evermore  and  weep  for  shame; 
And  night  by  night  I  too  will  lean  from  heaven, 
And   mourn   myself   upon   your   graves. 

CHAYIM  NACHMAN  BYALIK. 


The  Jewish  Martyrs 

I7ROM  far  Siberia's  frozen  plains, 

They  cry  to  heaven,  they  cry  to  us! 
We  hear  the  clanking  of  their  chains 

And  turn  away!     Not  thus,  not  thus, 
Our  fathers,  were  your  hearts  made  cold 
By  lust  of  power,  by  greed  of  gold! 

They  have  not  feared  the  scaffold  rope, 
Nor  cringed  for  whip  or  knotted  cord ; 

They  give  up  all  and  keep  their  hope ; 
They  die  and  call  no  despot  lord ; 

Before  the  heaven  that  made  men  free, 

They  testify  for  liberty. 

Who  gave  their  tyrants  leave  to  smite 
Truth's  witnesses  with  knout  or  rod? 

Who  says  such  wrongs  are  in  heaven's  right, 
He  lives  before  the  throne  of  God, 

And  all  the  blood  by  despots  shed, 

Shall  be  a  curse  upon  his  head! 

1 

If  to  our  altar  one  should  come, 

With  the  czar's  hounds  upon  his  track, 

Could  e'en  our  buried  dead  be  dumb 
Were  we  so  base  to  drive  him  back, 

Were  we  such  craven,  venal  slaves, 

Among  our  myriad  hero-graves?        W.  V.  B. 

662 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Persecuted  Jew 

\Y7HEN  strife  is  rampant  in  the  world, 
And  men  and  devils  loudly  cheer; 
The  hearts  of  men  have  turned  to  stone, 
And  cruel  monsters,  laugh  and  sneer. 

In  sorrow  and  the  darkest  gloom, 
Our  brother  Jew  has  suffered  long; 

The  God  of  Israel  knows  His  own, 
He  their  King  is  great  and  strong. 

Defend  the  people,  God  of  hosts, 

Thou  God  of  Israel,  grand  and  great; 

Look  down  and  bless  that  noble  race, 
And  lead  them  to  the  golden  gate. 

STEPHEN  TAYLOR  DEKINS. 

In  the  Name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
(Christmas,  1890) 

LOWS  once  more  in  the  Russian  sky,  the  blood- 

red  dawn  of  a  day  of  hate — 
Shrills  at  the  Throne  of  God,  the  cry  of  a  people  that 

faints  'neath  its  cross's  weight, 
Of  a  people  hounded  and  done  to  death 
In  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

Bells  are  ringing  and  organs  peal;  a  thousand  choirs 

their  hymns  upraise; 
Peasant  and  pope  at  the  altar  kneel,  and  lone,  in  his 

guarded  palace,  prays 
The  fear-torn  despot ;  and  thus  he  saith : 
In  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth : 

"Father  in  Heaven,  thy  reign  of  love  come,  and  Thy 

will  on  this  earth  be  done, 
Even  as  it  is  in  Thy  courts  above.     Forgive  us,  as  we 

forgive  everyone; 

And  tempt  us  never,  but  keep  from  scath 
In  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth." 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Up  to  God's  throne  with  the  organ's  voice  and  the 

chime  of  bells,  goes  the  mob's  fierce  shout: 
Drowned  are  the  hymns  by  the  horrid  noise  of  curses 

and  groans  and  the  thud  of  knout ; 
For  the  tyrant's  prayer  is  a  liar's  breath — 
In  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

Christians,  say,  shall  a  savage  Tsar  blaspheme  unchid- 

den  the  name  of  Christ? 
Yours,  not  mine,  is  this  holy  war,  by  your  faith  in  him 

that  was  sacrificed — 
By  your  faith  that  your  souls  may  be  saved  from 

death 
In  the  Name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth ! 

One  is  the  Father— his  sons  all  men.     These  brothers 

of  mine  are  your  brothers,  too; 
Save  our  brothers,  I  charge  you,  then,  in  their  brother's 

name  whom  the  Romans  slew — 
In  his  name,  who  forgave  with  his  dying  breath — 
My  brother,  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

ANONYMOUS. 

How  Long? 

LJOW  long,  O  Lord,  shall  sobs  and  sighs 
•*•  •*•       Re-echo  in  our  ears? 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  groans  and  cries 
Compel  our  flowing  tears? 

How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  blood  be  shed 

Of  innocent  and  pure? 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  deathly  dread 

O'er  Israel  endure? 

How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  darkness  reign, 

And  murder  rage  unchecked  ? 
How  long,  O  Lord,  by  crimson  stain 

Our  fateful  page  be  flecked? 

664 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  justice  sleep 

And  Truth  her  head  abase? 
How  long,  O  Lord,  into  the  deep 

Shall  sink  thy  chosen  race? 

How  long,  O  Lord,  in  exile  yet, 

Thy  people,  must  they  pine? 
How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  Thou  forget 

The  mercy  that  is  Thine? 

How  long,  O  Lord,  until  the  morn 

Of  peace  and  bliss  supreme, 
When  Thy  own  glory  shall  adorn 

The  Zion  of  our  dream? 

ISRAEL  COHEN. 


. 

Israel  in  Russia 

THOU  art  but  One!   O  God   to  Whom  we  bow 

In  adoration; 

E'en  as  in  Egypt,  Thou  wilt  hear  us  now — 
Thy  Chosen  Nation. 

Much  have  we  sinned ;  far  from  Thy  face  have  fled, 

By  passion  driven. 
Deep  our  repentance;  Thou  myself  hast  said 

We  are  forgiven. 

Empires  of  old  upon  us  heaped  their  chains, 

Burthens  and  lashes; 
Thy  thunders  rolled — and  of  their  might  remains 

Stubble  and  ashes! 

Still  those  we  taught  to  hold  Thy  Name  in  awe   . 

Smite  and  berate  us; 
We  are  the  leash  that  binds  them  to  Thv  Law — 

Wherefore  they  hate  us) 

665 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Vengeance  is  Thine!  yet  Thine  is  mercy,  too. 

"Shield  us,  but  grieve  them 
Not!"  be  our  prayer:  "They  know  not  what  they  do. 

Father!  forgive  them!" 

ARTHUR  GUITERMAN. 


The  Massacre  of  the  Jews 

A    WAIL  comes  o'er  the  swelling  seas 
•**•        From  a  far  land,  'neath  eastern  skies, 
And  on  the  night  wind's  solemn  dirge, 

We  shuddering  hear  the  shrieks,  the  cries, 
Of  that  devoted  band,  who  fell 

To  glut  the  Moslem's  savage  hate, 
That  remnant  of  Judah's  tribes, 

The  victims  of  remorseless  fate ! 

What  was  their  crime?     Had  they  rebelled 

Against  the  Sultan's  despot  power? 
Had  they  with  murder  in  their  hearts 

Nursed  into  bloom  the  Blood-Red  Flower 
Of  war?     Say,  was  it  theirs  to  throw 

The  olive  branch  of  Peace  aside, 
And  see  all  sweet  affections  drift 

To  death  on  the  ensanguined  tide? 

They  'neath  their  vines  and  fig-trees  dwelt, 

Pursuing  each  his  peaceful  trade, 
Chanting  at  eve  their  psalms  of  praise, 

Molesting  none,  of  none  afraid ! 
And  while  the  cheerful  home  fires  blazed 

At  eve,  some  Patriarch's  voice  was  heard, 
While  little  children  gathered  round 

To  list  with  awe  the  sacred  word! 

•But  hark !  what  'larum  fills  the  air ! 

A  mighty  roar  as  tho'  the  sea 
Had  burst  its  bound  engulfing  earth, 

And  holding  fierce,  wild  revelry ! 

666 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Wake,  Israel !    Rouse !    Your  hour  is  come ! 

The  crazed  fanatics  thirst  for  blood ; 
A  flash! — A  glare! — Now  ruins  mark 

Where  late  your  peaceful  dwellings  stood ! 
Demoniac  yells !  fierce  glittering  steel ! 

The  green  turf  red  with  many  a  stain, 
The  maddened  populace  rushing  on, 
'  Trampling  like  beasts  o'er  heaps  of  slain. 

Ah,  face  the  tiger  in  his  lair 

When  thirsting-mad  for  human  prey, 
But  not  these  zealots  in  their  rage, 

He  is  more  pitiful  than  they. 
Their  furiest  passions  all  ablaze 

These  blood-hounds  lust  for  human  game, 
Seeming  like  devils  loosed  on  earth, 

For  they  are  men  only  in  name. 

No  mercy  in  that  zeal-crazed  throng; 

The  infant  from  its  mother's  breast 
Is  torn  with  blood-stained  hands  and  slain, 

Her  shrieks  enjoyed  with  fiendish  zest, 
And  from  the  mother's  faithful  heart, 

That  would  have  died  her  child  to  save, 
The  life-blood  flows,  a  sabre  thrust, 

Yet  she  could  bless  the  hand  that  gave. 

Better  to  die  than  thus  to  live! 

With  bleeding  heart  and  maddened  brain, 
She  sees  her  husband  fall;  her  sire, 

His  gray  hairs  dashed  with  crimson  stain, 
Nor  age,  nor  sex  were  spared.     O!  God, 

Can  such  fiends  curse  thy  beauteous  earth? 
And  what  their  victim's  high  offense? 

The  only  crime  of  Jewish  birth! 

The  crime  of  following  in  the  path 

Their  pious  fathers  early  trod, 
Marked  by  One,  who  on  Sinai's  heights 

Revealed  Himself  a  living  God ; 

667 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

True,  they  knelt  not  to  greet  the  sun, 

Nor  made  the  Moslem's  creed  their  own, 

Nor  forced  they  their  belief  on  man, 
But  asked  the  privilege  alone 

Of  serving  their  Jehovah — God, 

As  Abraham  and  Moses  taught. 
Their  simple  worship  injured  none, 

And  they  no  controversy  sought; 
O!  Israel!     People  of  my  God, 

When  will  thy  weary  wanderings  cease, 
O !  when  by  Jordan's  quiet  wave, 

Thy  scattered  remnant  dwell  in  peace  ? 

When  will  base  calumny  and  wrong 

Cease  Judah  to  oppress  thee  more, 
When  will  the  wilderness  bloom  again 

On  Palestina's  sea-girt  shore, 
When  will  our  Hebrew  maids  once  more 

Chant  Miriam's  glad  triumphant  song? 
The  winds  and  waves  swell  with  the  cry, 

"How  long,  our  Father,  O!  how  long!" 

R.  A.  LEVY. 

How  Long,  0  Lord? 

IN  the  weary  night  they  come  to  me, 
The  tears  that  I  left  unshed, 
When  I  trudged  the  thorny  wilderness 

With  the  sun-flame  overhead. 
I  lie  awake  in  the  friendly  night, 

My  soul  too  numb  to  pray, 
Enjoying  the  cool  of  its  velvet  black 
In  the  dread  of  the  coming  day. 

For  the  day  must  come  and  the  sting  of  it, 

As  I  bend  to  the  endless  road, 
The  light  must  come  and  the  pain  of  it — 

The  bite  of  the  lashing  goad. 

668 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

But  this  I  know  as  I  reel  along 

To  the  nations'  hue  and  cry, 
A  burning  truth  in  the  hand  of  God ; 

I  know  that  I  must  not  die. 

They  say  my  soul  is  twisted  and  warped, 

My  ways  are  cringing  and  mean, 
That  I  worship  the  bulk  of  the  calf  of  gold, 

That  my  hands  are  not  white  and  clean; 
They  say — but  a  thousand  reasons  hold 

To  stalk  the  quarry  then 
When  the  lust  for  blood  is  hunger-felt 

By  the  beast  that  dwells  in  men. 

When  Kindness  is  taught  at  the  end  of  a  rope, 

And  Love  to  the  music  of  groans ; 
When  Charity  masks  in  a  cloak  of  flame, 

And  Mercy  in  falling  stones — 
What  wonder  the  balm  for  the  spirit  fails 

When  the  wounds  are  kept  so  fresh 
Through  countless  years  of  active  hate 

In  the  rack  of  the  tortured  flesh  ? 

I  have  ceased  to  long  for  the  clasp  of  Love, 

To  dream  of  the  smile  of  a  friend, 
I   grip  my  trusty  wander-staff 

In  a  journey  without  an  end. 
My  faith  is  strong  as  the  primal  rocks, 

And  deep  as  my  tearless  woes; 
I  am  Job  of  the  nations — heir  of  wrongs, 

But  why — Jehovah  knows. 

ELIAS   LIEBERMAN. 

In  Exile 

"TWILIGHT  is  here,  soft  breezes  bow  the  grass, 

Day's  sounds  of  various  toil  break  slowly  off, 
The  yoke-freed  oxen  low,  the  patient  ass 

Dips  his  dry  nostril  in  the  cool,  deep  trough. 

669 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Up  from  the  prairie  the  tanned  herdsmen  pass 
With  frothy  pails,  guiding  with  voices  rough 
Their  udder-lightened  kine.     Fresh  smells  of  earth, 
The  rich,  black  furrows  of  the  glebe  send  forth. 

After  the  Southern  day  of  heavy  toil, 

How  good  to  lie,  with  limbs  relaxed,  brows  bare 
To  evening's  fan,  and  watch  the  smoke-wreaths  coil 

Up  from  one's  pipe-stem  through  the  rayless  air. 
So  deem  these  unused  tillers  of  the  soil, 

Who  stretched  beneath  the  shadowing  oak-tree,  stare 
Peacefully  on  the  star-unfolding  skies, 
And  name  their  life  unbroken  paradise. 

The  hounded  stag  that  has  escaped  the  pack, 
And  pants  at  ease  within  a  thick-leaved  dell  ; 

The  unimprisoned  bird  that  finds  the  track 

Through    sun-bathed    space,    to    where    his   fellows 
dwell; 

The  martyr,  granted  respite  from  the  rack, 

The  death-doomed  victim  pardoned  from  his  cell, — 

Such  only  know  the  joy  these  exiles  gain, — 

Life's  sharpest  rapture  is  surcease  of  pain. 

Strange  faces  theirs,  where  through  the  Orient  sun 
Gleams  from  the  eyes  and  glows  athwart  the  skin. 

Grave  lines  of  studious  thought  and  purpose  run 
From  curl-crowned  forehead  to  dark-bearded  chin. 

And  over  all  the  seal  is  stamped  thereon 
Of  anguish  branded  by  a  world  of  sin, 

In  fire  and  blood  through  ages  on  their  name, 

Their  seal  of  glory  and  the  Gentiles'  shame. 

Freedom  to  love  the  law  that  Moses  brought, 
To  sing  the  songs  of  David,  and  to  think 

The  thoughts  Gabirol  to  Spinoza  taught, 
Freedom  to  dig  the  common  earth,  to  drink 

The  universal  air — for  this  they  sought 
Refuge  o'er  wave  and  continent,  to  link 

Egypt  with  Texas  in  their  mystic  chain, 

And  truth's  perpetual  lamp  forbid  to  wane. 

670 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Hark !  through  the  quiet  evening  air,  their  song 

Floats  forth  with  wild  sweet  rhythm  and  glad  re- 
frain. 

They  sing  the  conquest  of  the  spirit  strong, 
The  soul  that  wrests  the  victory  from  pain; 

The  noble  joys  of  manhood  that  belong 

To  comrades  and  to  brothers.     In  their  strain 

Rustle  of  palms  and  Eastern  streams  one  hears, 

And  the  broad  prairie  melts  in  mist  of  tears. 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 
/  W 

A  Cry  from  Russia 

DROTHERS,  my  brothers— you  that  are  free 
*-*  In  the  golden  lands,  beyond  the  sea, 
Are  you  blind  that  you  do  not  heed  the  scars 
Of  my  futile  hands  as  they  beat  the  bars? 
Are  you  deaf  that  you  do  not  heed  the  cry 
Of  the  Little  People  who  will  not  die? 
Who  will  not  die  though  with  fear 
Without  their  Ghetto  walls.    Ah,  hear 
The  anguished  cry  of  the  mother  of  sons 
Who  are  spat  on  thus  by  the  lordly  ones: 
"Ye  may  not  labor.     Ye  have  no  goal. 
Back  to  your  hovels!     Herd  as  the  swine! 
Be  eaten  with  fear  to  your  very  soul !" 
This  is  the  birth  of  the  coward's  whine. 
Brothers,  my  brothers,  the  days  are  long 
For  the  wretched  one  who  does  no  wrong, 
But  to  live  through  beggary,  misery — aye 
Worse  than  these — a  Jew  till  he  die. 
For  he  sucked,  with  the  milk  at  his  mother's  breast, 
Patient  for  scorn  and  patient  for  jest, 
Wounds  of  the  body  and  wounds  of  the  soul 
Till  a  day  when  the  Lord  God  made  him  whole 
The  shining  day  he  will  bless  the  pain 
That  has  brought  the  Jew  to  his  own  again. 
He  will  bless  the  pain.     But  brothers  mine 
Easy  for  you  not  to  herd  as  swine; 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Prosperous,  florishing — kith  and  kin, 
Easy  for  you  to  stay  clean  within. 
But,  O  my  Brothers  beyond  the  sea, 
The  days  are  long  and  bitter  for  me. 

HERMINE  SCHWED. 


To  Russia 

YJT7HO  tamed  your  lawless  Tartar  blood? 
**  What  David  bearded  in  her  den 
The  Russian  bear  in  ages  when 

You  strode  your  black,  unbridled  stud, 
A  skin-clad  savage  of  your  steppes  ? 
Why,  one  who  now  sits  low  and  weeps, 
Why,  one  who  now  wails  out  to  you, — 
The  Jew,  the  Jew,  the  homeless  Jew. 

Who  girt  the  thews  of  your  young  prime 
And  bound  your  fierce  divided  force? 
Why,  who  but  Moses  shaped  your  course 

United   down  the  grooves  of  time? 
Your  mighty  millions  all  today 
The  hated,  homeless  Jew  obey. 
Who  taught  all  poetry  to  you? 
The  Jew,  the  Jew,  the  hated  Jew. 

Who  taught  you  tender  Bible  tales 
Of  honey-lands  of  milk  and  wine? 
Of  happy,  peaceful  Palestine? 

Of  Jordan's  holy  harvest  vales? 
Who  gave  the  patient  Christ?     I  say 
Who  gave  the  Christian  creed?    Yea,  yea, 
Who  gave  your  very  God  to  you  ? 
Your  Jew!    Your  Jew!    Your  hated  Jew! 

JOAQUIN  MILLER. 

• 
672 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  Slaughter  of  the  Jews 

P7OOLS  who  kill  for  the  lust  of  blood,  fiends  of  the 

slaughter  pen, 
Who  wreak  red  malice  on  women  and  babes  and  gray 

and  defenceless  men ; 
Murderers,    thugs,    assassins,    who,    e'en    in    religion's 

name, 
Dare  the  work  of  the  ghouls  to  do,  and  crawl  in  your 

bestial  shame — 
This  in  the  name  of  religion.    Why,  fools  who  are  less 

than  clod, 
From  the  Jew  you  borrowed  your  altar,  from  the  Jew 

you  filched  your  God. 
His  was  the  great  Jehovah  whom  your  churchly  rites 

attest, 

And  his  was  the  wondrous  Bible  that  shone  on  your 
darkened  West. 

His  David  still  is  singing, 

Your  souls  oppressed  to  thrill, 
And  Sinai's  voice  is  ringing: 

"Thou  shalt  not,  shalt  not  kill !" 

Murderers!  thugs!  assassins!  sodden  and  ingrate  crew! 
Most  of  the  best  ye  now  disdain  was  learned  of  the 
hated  Jew! 

In  temples  of  desecration  his  psalms  ye  have  mouthed 

today ; 
Then  turned  from  the  hollow  praises  to  slaughter  and 

kill  and  slay; 
Ye  have  mourned  with  his  Jeremiah,  as  great  was  your 

need  to  do, 
But  if  mourning  fostered  brute  alone,  small  was  the 

gain   to  you. 
"Why  should  ye  be  stricken  any  more?"  Isaiah  moan- 

eth  still, 
But  all  that  ye  learn  from  the  broken  words  is  kill — 

and  kill— and  kill ! 

673 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  Rachel  still  is  mourning  that  her  children  are  no 

more, 

While  your  hearts  are  mad  with  malice  and  your  hands 
are  red  with  gore. 

Still  rolls  the  awful  thunder 
O'er  Sinai's  darkened  hill, 
While  still — oh,  deed  of  wonder ! — 

Ye  kill— and  kill— and  kill ! 
Fools  who   are  less   than   brutish,    tyranny's  pestilent 

crew, 

A  beast  may  spring  on  his  master — and  ye  do  murder 
the  Jew. 

When  your  forbears  sat  in  their  frozen  dens  and  mum- 
bled  their  rotten  bones 
From  Palestine  echoed  northward  the  great  Jehovah's 

tones. 
The  God  of  the  Jew  had  spoken,  and  your  ancestor 

heard  and  knew, 
And   his  first   dim   knowledge  of  truth  and   right   he 

learned  of  the  hated  Jew. 
Aye,  more!     From  Nazareth  came  one  day  the  Man 

who  is  thine  and  mine, 
And  he  set  in  the  soul  of  the  brutish  man  the  germ 

of  a  thought  divine, 
And  the  germ  took  root  in  the  soul  of  man,  and  ever 

it  bloomed  and  grew, 

And  the  Christ  whom  your  crimsoned  hands  do  flout 
was  a  Jew  and  the  son  of  a  Jew, 

His  heart  for  the  sad  world  bleeding, 

He  loved  and  forgave  us  still ; 
And  yet,  that  lesson  unheeding, 
Ye  kill— and  kill— and  kill ! 
Fools  who   are   less  than   brutish,   tyranny's   pestilent 

crew, 

All  that  the  we  rid  holds  dearest  is  slaughtered  in  him 
— the  Jew. 

A.  J.  WATERHOUSE, 


674 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  Crowing  of  the  Red  Cock 

A  CRO'SS  the  Eastern  sky  has  glowed 
**       The  flicker  of  a  blood-red  dawn, 
Once  more  the  clarion  cock  has  crowed, 

Once  more  the  sword  of  Christ  is  drawn. 
A  million  burning  rooftrees  light 
The.  world-wide  path  of  Israel's  flight. 

Where  is  the  Hebrew's  fatherland  ? 

The  folk  of  Christ  is  sore  bestead  ; 
The  Son  of  Man  is  bruised  and  banned, 

Nor  finds  whereon  to  lay  his  head. 
His  cup  is  gall,  his  meat  is  tears, 
His  passion  lasts  a  thousand  years. 

Each  crime  that  wakes  in  man  the  beast, 

Is  visited  upon  his  kind. 
The  lust  of  mobs,  the  greed  of  priest, 

The  tyranny  of  kings,  combined 
To  root  his  seed  from  earth  again, 
His  record  is  one  cry  of  pain. 

When  the  long  roll  of  Christian  guilt 
Against  his  sires  and  kin  is  known, 

The  flood  of  tears,  the  life-blood  spilt, 
The  agony  of  ages  shown, 

What  oceans  can  the  stain  remove, 

From  Christian  law  and  Christian  love? 

• 

Nay,  close  the  book ;  not  now,  not  here, 
The  hideous  tale  of  sin  narrate, 

Reechoing  in  the  martyr's  ear, 

Even  he  might  nurse  revengeful  hate, 

Even  he  might  turn  in  wrath  sublime, 

With  blood  for  blood  and  crime  for  crime, 

675  • 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Coward?     Not  he,  who  faces  death, 
Who  singly  against  worlds  has  fought, 

For  what?     A  name  he  may  not  breathe, 
For  liberty  of  prayer  and  thought. 

The  angry  sword  he  will  not  whet, 

His  nobler  task  is — to  forget. 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 


A  Hymn  for  the  Relief  of  Israel 

W7HEN  Israel's  sons  in  Egypt  groaned, 

"          Beneath  the  proud  oppressor's  yoke, 
The  God  of  Love  his  children  owned, 
The  Lord  of  Might  their  bondage  broke. 

With  mighty  arm  and  outstretched  hand, 
By  signs  and  wonders  great  and  sore, 

He  led  them  forth  from  Egypt's  land, 
He  gave  them  rest  on  Caanan's  shore. 

Now  spread  through  far  and  distant  lands, 
Yet  never  lost — enchained,  yet  free — 

To  Thee  they  lift  their  suppliant  hands, 
And  raise  them  with  their  hearts  to  Thee. 

Thy  word  still  lives — that  word  which  taught 
The  mouth  that  cursed  Thy  flock  to  bless; 

That  word  which  their  salvation  wrought, 
That  faith  which  still  their  lips  confess. 

O !  turn  the  hearts  of  those  who  still 

Tread  down  Thy  living  sanctuary, 
Send  forth  the  mandate  of  Thy  will, 

And  set  Thy  chosen  people  free ! 

CANON  JENKINS. 


676 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


To   the   Czar — a  Prophecy 

T_JOW  canst  thou  face  thy  Maker,  how  canst  thou 

ever  dare 
With  all  the  guilt  upon  thy  head  to  turn  to  Him  in 

prayer  ? 

Thou  rearest  thy  religion  to  cloak  thy  evil  deeds; 
The  torture  thou  inflicted  on  those  of  other  creeds, 
The  exilings,  the  pogroms,  the  persecutions  all, 
Thou  plannest  with   thy  minions,   within   thy  palace 

wall. 

To  thy  corrupt  officialdom  thou  givest  a  free  rein 
To  murder,  pillage,  harass  thy  subjects  for  its  gain. 
With  olden-time  barbarity,  with  cruelty  unsurpassed, 
Thou  rulest  o'er  an  Empire,  so  wonderful,  so  vast, 
Whose  boundless  wealth  lies  buried  for  ages,  'neath  the 

soil, 

Whose  undeveloped  resources  wait  but*  for  honest  toil, 
While  sore  distress  and  famine  go  stalking  in  the  land, 
All  enterprise,  initiative  stayed  by  a  tyrant's  hand. 

Bright  shines  the  torch  of  progress  in  every  land  but 

thine, 
Illumining    every    pathway    that    leads    to    Freedom's 

shrine; 

In  thy  realm  superstition  and  ignorance  hold  sway, 
Grim  allies  of  oppression  that  darken  every  way; 
That  foster  crime  and  vices  of  all  the  vilest  sort 
And  make  of  human  beings  a  beastly  dangerous  horde. 
Thou  art  a  shame,  a  byword  among  the  nations  all, 
Thy  subjects'  execrations  hang  o'er  thee  like  a  pall ! 
***** 

How  long  wilt  thou,  O  Russia,  thy  cruel  burdens  bear? 
How  long  wilt  thou  meekly  succumb  to  dull  despair? 
Rise  up,  throw  off  thy  shackles,  strike  for  the  right 

to  live! 
For  freedom,  justice,   tolerance,   thy  people's  wrongs 

retrieve ! 

677 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And   thou   wilt   surely   triumph,    for   tyrants  cowards 

are, 
They  shrink  beneath  the  radiance  of  Liberty's  bright 

star. 

For  thee  will  dawn  an  era  of  brighter,  happier  days, 
And    all    thy   lamentations   will    change    to    songs   of 

praise  ; 

The  present   chaos,    misrule,    which    now   so   hopeless 

seem, 

Will  then  be  but  a  memory,  a  nightmare  in  a  dream, 
Once  more  among  the  nations  thou  wilt  then  take  thy 

place, 
And  with   their  march   toward   progress   and   culture 

keep  apace. 

Thy  people  will  be  blessed  o'er  all  thy  broad  domain, 
When   Law  and   Order  shall  prevail,   and   Peace  su- 
preme shall  reign! 

IDA  (MRS.  ISIDOR)  STRAUS. 


To  Forgive  is  Divine 

of  Mercies,  and  all  Human  Love, 
Who  peereth  far  beyond  our  sullen  skies, 
Remember  all  the  smile-borne  agonies, 

And  stubborn  scars  of  saintly  men  who  strove 

With  glaives  of  griefless  Faith,  in  dyke  and  grove, 
And  byre  and  barn,  'gainst  the  barbarities 
Of  priest  and  mob,  and  the  atrocities 

By  traitors  wreaked  in  passion  for  their  dove. 

Remember  not  those  loathsome  deeds,  O  Lord! 
But  spread  the  light  of  Wisdom  in  the  hearts 
Of  Rulers,  and  of  Nations  in  those  parts, 

Where  ripens  knowledge  of  Thine  Holy  Word, 
That  in  our  day,  Israel  may  once  more 
Have  Peace,  and  Sunshine,  as  in  days  of  yore. 

M.  L.  R.  BRESLAR, 

678 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

"Blood"  v.  ''Bullion" 

"VY7ELL  then,  it  now  appears  you  need  my  help, 
"     Go  to  then:  you  come  to  me,  and  you  say, 
'Shylock,  we  would  have  moneys' — you  say  so; 
You  that  did  void  your  rheum  upon  my  beard, 
And  foot  me,  as  you  spurn  a  stranger  cur 
Over  your  threshold:  moneys  is  your  suit. 
What  should  I  say  to  you  ?    Should  I  not  say 
'Hath  a  dog  money?'  ' 

"Merchant  of  Venice,"  Act  I,  Scene  3. 

"With  bated  breath  and  whispering  humbleness?" 
Not  so !    There  comes  a  season  when  the  stress 
Of  insolent  and  exacting  tyranny 
Makes  the  most  patient  turn. 

Autocracy, 

Without  the  despot's  vaunted  virtue,  pride, 
Shows  small  indeed.     Can  Power  lay  aside 
Its  swaggering  part,  and  low  petition  make 
(Driven  by  those  Treasury  thirsts  which  never  slake) 
For  help  from  those  it  harries?     Pharaoh's  scourge 
Was  the  taskmaster's  weapon  used  to  urge 
The  Hebrew  bondsmen  to  their  tale  of  toil, 
But  they  round  whom  the  Russian's  knouts'  thongs  coil 
Are  of  the  breed  of  the  Russian  palm 
Can  make  petition  to.     Could  triumphs  balm 
The  wounds  of  ages,  here  were  babes  indeed ; 
But  blood  revolts. 

Race  of  the  changeless  creed, 
And  ever-shifting  sojourn,  Shakespeare's  type 
Deep  meaning  hides,  which,  when  the  world  is  ripe 
For  wider  wisdom,  when  the  palsying  curse 
Of  prejudice,  the  canker  of  the  purse, 
And  blind  blood-hatred,  shall  a  little  lift, 
Will  clearlier  shine,  like  sunburst  through  a  rift 
In  congregated  cloud-wracks.     Shylock  stands 
Badged  with  black  shame  in  all  the  baser  lands. 
Use  him,  and — spit  on  him!     That's  Gentile  wont; 
Make  him  gold-conduit,  and  befoul  the  font, — 

679 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

That's  the  true  despot-plan  through  all  the  days, 

And  cackling  Gratianos  chorus  praise. 

"The  Jew  shall  have  all  justice."     Shall  he  so? 

The  tyrant  drains  his  gold,  then  bids  him — "Go!" 

Shylock?    The  name  bears  insult  in  its  sound; 

But  he  was  nobler  than  the  curs  who  hound 

The  patient  Hebrew  from  his  home  and  drive 

Deathward  the  stronger  souls  they  dread  alive. 

Shylock?     So  brand  him,  boors  and  babbling  wags, 

Who  scorn  him,  yet  would  share  his  money-bags; 

Who  hate  him,  yet  can  stoop  to  such  appeal ! 

Beneath  his  meekness  there's  a  soul  of  steel. 

High-featured,  amply-bearded,  see  he  stands 

Facing  the  Autocat;  those  sinewy  hands 

Shaped  but  for  clutching — so  his  slanderers  say — 

The  huckster  bait  can  coldly  put  away 

"Blood  against  bullion."     The  Jew-baiting  band 

Howl  frantic  execration  o'er  the  land; 

Malign  and  menace,  pillage,  persecute; 

Though  the  heart's  hot,  the  mouth  must  fain  be  mute. 

The  edict  fulminates,  the  goad  pursues; 

Proscription,  deprivation, — aye,  they  use 

All  the  old  tortures,  nor  are  then  content, 

But  crown  the  work  with  ruthless  banishment. 

And  then — then  the  proud   Muscovite  seeks  grace, 

And  gold,  from  kinsmen  of  the  harried  race! 

"He  would  have  moneys"  from  the  Hebrew  hoard, 

To  swell  his  state,  or  whet  his  warlike  sword ; 

Perchance  buy  heavier  scourges  for  the  backs 

Of  lesser  Hebrews,  whom  his  wolfish  packs 

Of  salaried  minions  hunt. 

Take  back  thine  hand, 
Imperious  Autocrat,  and  understand 
Gold  buys  not,   rules  not,   serves  not,   salves  not  all, 
Blood  speaks — in  favour  of  the  helpless  thrall 
Of  tyranny.     Here's  no  tame  Shylock :  he 
Shall  not  bend  low,  and  in  a  bondsman's  key, 
Make  o'er  his  money-bags  with  unctuous  grace 
To  an  enthroned  enslaver  of  his  race, 

680 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

"Well  then,  it  now  appears  you  need  my  help" 
(You — whose  trained  curs  at  my  poor  kinsmen  yelp!) 
"What  should  I  say  to  you?     Should  I' not  say, 
'Hath  a  dog  money ?' "      Blood's  response  is — "Nay!" 

PUNCH. 

The  Jews  of  Bucharest 

"""TAKE  heed;  the  stairs  are  worn  and  damp!" 

My  soft-tongued   southern   guardian   said, 
And  held  more  low  his  twinkling  lamp 

To  light  my  cautious,  downward  tread. 
Where  that  uncertain  radiance  fell 
The  bat  in  startled  circles  flew; 
Sole   tenant   of   the   sunless  cell 
Our  fathers  fashioned  for  the  Jew. 

Yet,  painted  on  the  aching  gloom, 

I  saw  a  hundred  dreadful  eyes, 
As  out  of  their  forgotten  tomb 

Its  pallid  victims  seemed  to  rise. 
With  fluttered  heart  and  crisping  hair, 

I  stood  those  crowding  ghosts  amid, 
And  thought  what  raptures  of  despair 

The  soundless  granite  walls  had  hid. 

I  saw  their  arsenal  of  crime: 

The  rack,  the  scourge,  the  gradual  fire, 
Where   priestly  hangmen   of  old   time 

Watched  their  long-tortured  prey  expire, 
Then  by  dim  warders  darkling  led 

Through  many  a  rocky  corridor, 
Like  one  that  rises  from  the  dead, 

I  passed  into  the  light  once  more. 

And  does  a  careless  brother  say 

We  stir  this  ancient  dust  in  vain, 
When  palaced  Bucharest  to-day 

Sees  the  same  devil  loose  again? 

68 1 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Again  her  busy  highways  wake 

To  the  old  persecuting  cry 
Of  men  who  for  their  Master's  sake 

His  chosen  kindred  crucify. 

There  oft  the  midnight  hours  are  loud 

With  echoes  of  pursuing  feet; 
As  fired  with  bright  zeal  the  crowd 

Goes  raving  down  the  Ghetto's  street; 
The  broken  shutter's  rending  crash 

That  lets  the  sudden  riot  in, 
And  shows  by  those  red  torches'  flash, 

The  shrinking  fugitive  within. 

But  here  are  tales  of  deeper  shame! 

Of  law  insulted  and  defied. 
While  Force,  usurping  Justice's  name, 

Takes  boldly  the  oppressor's  side. 
The  bread  whose  bitterness  so  long, 

These  sons  of  hated  race  have  known; 
Familiar,  oft-repeated  wrong 

That  turns  the  living  heart  to  stone. 

Still  Zion  City  lies  forlorn : 

And  still  the  Stranger  in  our  gates, 
A  servant  to  the  younger  born, 

For  his  long-promised  kingdom  waits. 
O,  Brethren  of  the  outer  court, 

Entreat  him  well  and  speak  him  fair; 
The  form  that  makes  your  thoughtless  sport 

Our  coming  Lord  hath  deigned  to  wear. 

EDWARD  SYDNEY  TYBEE. 

To   Carmen  Sylva  (Queen  of  Roumania) 

,  that  the  golden  lyre  divine 

Whence  David  smote  flame-tones  were  mine! 
Oh,  that  the  silent  harp  which  hung 
Untuned,  unstrung, 

682 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Upon  the  willows  by  the  river, 
Would  throb  beneath  my  touch  and  quiver 
With  the  old  song-enchanted  spell 
Of  Israel! 


Oh,   that  the  large  prophetic  Voice 

Would  make  my  reed-piped  throat  its  choice! 

All  ears  should  prick,  all  hearts  should  spring 

To  hear  me  sing 

T-U     u     j         i    u     •  i  j 

1  he  burden  of  the  isles,  the  word 

Assyria  knew,  Damascus  heard, 
When,  like  the  wind,  while  cedars  shake, 
Isaiah  spake. 


For  1  would  frame  a  song  to-day 
Winged  like  a  bird  to  cleave  its  way 
O'er  land  and  sea  that  spread  between, 

To  where  a  Queen 
Sits  with   a  triple  coronet. 
Genius  and  Sorrow  both  have  set 
Their  diadems  above  the  gold — 

A  Queen  three-fold! 


To  her  the  forest  lent  its  lyre, 

Hers  are  the  sylvan  dews,  the  fire 

Of  Orient  suns,  the  mist-wreathed  gleams 

Of  mountain  streams. 
She,   the  imperial  Rhine's  own  child, 
Takes  to  her  heart  the  wood-nymph  wild, 
The  gipsy  Pelech,  and  the  wide 

White  Danube's  tide. 
' 

She  who  beside  an  infant's  bier 
Long  since  resigned  all  hope  to  hear, 
The  sacred  name  of  "Mother"  bless 
Her  childlessness, 

683 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Now  from  a  people's  sole  acclaim 
Receives  the  heart-vibrating  name, 
And  "Mother/Mother,  Mother!"  fills 
The  echoing  hills. 

Yet  who  is  he  who  pines  apart, 
Estranged  from  that  maternal  heart, 
Ungraced,  unfriended,  and  forlorn, 

The  butt  of  scorn? 
An  alien  in  his  land  of  birth, 
An  outcast  from  his  brethren's  earth, 
Albeit  with  theirs  his  blood  mixed  well 

When  Plevna  fell? 

When  all  Roumania's  chains  were  riven, 
When  unto  all  his  sons  was  given 
The  hero's  glorious  reward, 

Reaped  by  the  sword, — 
Wherefore  was  this  poor  thrall,  whose  chains 
Hung  heaviest,  within  whose  veins 
The  oldest  blood  of  freedom  streamed, 

Still  unredeemed? 


EMMA  LAZARUS. 


Lines  on   Carmen  Sylva 

TREMBLING  old  men  are  stamm'ring 

Scarce  can  their  anguish  tell — 
Whisp'ring  the  ancient  Hebrew, 
The  "Hear,  O  Israel!" 
Some  little  Jew  is  falling, 

Clubbed  in  his  narrow  pale — 
The  Queen  is  singing  sweetly 

Songs  of  the  Nightingale. 

684 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Watchmen  are  growing  fretful, 

Why  should  they  longer  wait? 
Hurry  the  homeless  wanderers 

Through  the  next  dark  suffering-gate. 
What  though  anchors  are  lifted, 

What  though  poor  exiles  flee — 
Carmen  Sylva  is  warbling 

An  Ode  to  Humanity. 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 

The  Russian  Jewish  Rabbi 

I 

/~\LD  and  gray,  his  shoulders  bent, 
^       Tall  and  meagre  like  a  cane, 
To  my  door  came  up  a  man, 

When  the  day  began  to  wane. 
In  one  hand  he  held  a  staff, 

While  the  other  wiped  a  tear, 
Like  the  leaves  on  swinging  boughs 

He  had  shrunk  from  cold  and  fear. 
"Peace  to  you,"  he  quietly  said, 

And  a  tear  had  filled  his  eye; 
On  his  face  I  noticed  grief, 

From  his  heart  I  heard  a  sigh. 
"Can  you  take  me  'neath  your  roof? 

I  am  tired,  and  weak  and  old; 
Just  like  death,  severe  and  sharp, 

Crude  and  merciless  the  cold, 
I  am  hungry,  bare  and  poor, 
Orphan-like  I  am  on  soil 
For  I  cannot  tug  for  life 

By  my  hands,  or  mental  toil. 
I  had  been  a  teacher  once 

And  our  children  I  had  taught; 
God's  my  witness, — I  had  e'er 

Perfectly  my  duties  wrought. 
Now  my  children  have  grown  up, 

685 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Like  grand  flowers  they  still  grow, 
And  I  drink  the  bitter  cup, 

Suffering  in  tears  and  woe." 
Silent  then  became  the  man. 

And   the   tears  have  rolled   and   rolled. 
On  his  sad  and  wrinkled  face 

A  reproach  I  could  behold, 
This  was  meant  for  him,  whose  heart 

In  the  careless  body  sleeps, 
Who  is  merciless,  unmoved, 

When  a  struggler  sighs  and  weeps. 

II 

When  in  slumber  earth  was  hushed, 

My  fatigued  and  suff'ring  guest 
Finally  in  pleasant  sleep 

Found  forgetfulness  and  rest. 
The  night's  queen,  the  wingy  dream, 

Looked  at  him  and  sweetly  smiled, 
Carried  him  at  once  away, 

Where  he  lived  while  yet  a  child. 
Here's  his  father's  little  house, 

Where  he  passed  his  childhood  days, 
Where  his  heart  had  freely  breathed 

'Mong  his  friends,  and  mates  at  plays. 
Here's  the  temple,  where  he  oft 

With  his  father  ran  to  pray, 
"Tell  me,  dearest,  why  we  haste," 

To  his  'pa,  he  used  to  say. 
"Child,  the  Sabbath-hour  is  near, 

And  the  temple's  open  wide, — 
There  our  souls  will  find  repose, 

Far  from  care's,  and  struggling's  tide." 
In  the  dismal  synagog 

Darkness,  gloom  reigns  over  all. 
Down  the  rigid  sexton  goes 

To  the  corner  ...  By  the  wall 
Stands  a  candle  on  a  shelf ; 

Fast  to  it  he  makes  his  way, 

686 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Then,   by   turn,    he   lights   each   lamp, 

And,  when  done,  he  walks  away. 
Thus  the  gloomy  synagog 

Soon  assumed  an  aspect  bright; 
And  the  boy  with  eager  eyes 

Follows  ev'ry  trembling  light. 
"Where's  the  candle  and  the  shaft, 

That,  like  in  a  fairy  land, 
Instantly  created  light? 
Told  in   darkness,  'Be  there  light?' 

By  the  customary  hand, 
By  the  hand  that  used  the  light 
It  was  slip-shod  cast  aside!" 

Ill 

Jewish,  tired  and  suff'ring  Rabbi, 

Such,  poor  teacher,  is  your  fate! 
Keeper  of  the  Lord's  commandments, 

Was  your  toil  not  holy,  great? 
Have  you  not  with  holy  blazes 

Lit  our  children's  heart  and  soul? 
Have  you  not,  inspired  like  prophets, 

Taught  them  life's  true  end  and  goal? 
Rabbi,  did  you  not  instruct  them 

To  believe,  to  love  and  wait, 
To  be  honest,  true  and  faithful, 

"With  a  heart  for  any  fate?" 
Well,  and  now?  .  .  .  With  mute  affliction 

You  are  wandering  alone, 
O'er  your  head  a  fearful  darkness, 

In  your  heart  a  deathly  moan. 

Translated  by  HERMAN  BERNSTEIN. 


687 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Mai-Ko-Mashma-Lon" 

Cui  Bono? 
(Monologue  of  a  Talmudical  student.) 

\Y7 hat's  the  meaning  of  the  rainstorm? 
™       What's  the  story  that  it  tells  me? 
On  the  window  panes  the  rain-drops 
Roll,  a  turbid  stream  of  tears. 
And  the  boots  are  worn  and  tearing, 
And  without  'tis  muddy,  stormy; 
Winter,  too,  will  soon  be  coming 
And  I  have  no  wrap  to  warm  me. 

What's  the  meaning  of  the  taper? 

What's  the  story  that  it  tells  me? 

The  tallow  downward  drips  and  trickles, 

Faintly  flaring,  dying  slowly. 

Like  a  taper  weak  and  weary, 

'Lone  within  this  hut  I  wither, 

Till  some  day  in  sullen  quiet, 

Dying  they  will  bear  me  thither. 

What's  the  meaning  of  the  old  clock? 
What's  the  story  that  it  tells  me? 
Its  dial  quaint  and  faded  yellow, 
Each  weird  stroke  resounding  heavy. 
'Tis  a  lifeless,  soulless  object, 
Merely  striking  at  each  hour, 
Lacking  spirit,  lacking  feeling, 
Slave  to  another's  will  and  power. 

What's  the  meaning  of  my  being? 
What's  the  story  that  it  tells  me? 
Days  of  youth  are  vegetating 
Waxing  old  so  prematurely. 
Days  of  fast  and  tears  a'plenty, 
Bony  knuckles  for  a  pillow, 
Sacrificing  all  life's  pleasures 
For  a  life  that  is  to  follow. 

ABRAHAM  RAISIN. 
(Translated  by  Henry  Greenfield.) 

688 


I 

THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  Jewish  Soldier 

LJARD  by  the  walls  of  Plevna,  not  fifty  yards  away, 
*~f  There  lies  a  grave  forsaken,  scarce  visible  to-day; 
Forsaken  and  neglected,  uncared  for  and  unknown, 
No  wreath  is  there  to  mark  it,  no  monument  of  stone. 
No  grass,  no  flowers,  grow  there  beneath  those  sullen 

skies ; 

'Tis  there  a  sleeping  hero,  a  Jewish  soldier  lies — 
A  Jewish  soldier  fallen  in  Plevna's  bloody  fight, 
When  Russia,  all  victorious,  put  forth  her  conquering 

might. 

fe 

The  world   is  hushed   to  slumber   and   silence   reigns 

around, 

A  silence  all  unbroken,  no  voice,  no  breath,  no  sound ; 
But  when  the  chimes  of  midnight  ring  from  the  ancient 

tower, 

Out  of  the  east  awakens  a  storm  wind,  strong  in  power. 
Across   the   land   it  rushes,   and,   stronger   and   more 

strong, 
It  roars  and  howls  and  thunders  in  tumult  wild  and 

long, 

Until  the  earth  it  cleaveth  as  with  the  trump  of  doom, 
And,  sword  in  hand,  the  soldier  arises  frofci  his  tomb. 

Upon  the  wall  he  standeth,  as  in  the  dauntless  past, 
And  from  his  heart  sore-wounded,  the  blood  flows  free 

and  fast. 
His  soldier's  blood  flows  freely,  his  heart  is  wounded 

deep, 

And  in  a  voice  of  thunder  he  calls  the  dead  from  sleep. 
"Awake  my  warrior  comrades,  awake  and  judge  aright ; 
Say,  did  I  not  stand  bravely  beside  you  in  the  fight? 
Like  you,  did  I  not  perish  on  Plevna's  battle  plain 
For  Russia's  greater  glory,  for  Russia's  greater  gain?" 

689 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  as  his  words  fall  silent,  there  wakes  to  life  once 
more 

A  mighty  host,  unnumbered  as  sand  upon  the  shore; 

A  mighty  armed  multitude  arises  at  his  hest, 

From  far  and  near  they  gather,  they  come  from  east 
and  west; 

With  marching  and  with  clanging,  with  heavy,  echo- 
ing tread, 

Until  they  stand  before  him,  an  army  of  the  dead ; 

And  ev'ry  soldier  answers,  with  high  uplifted  hand, 

And  swears:  "Yea,  thou  hast  fallen  for  Czar  and  fa- 
therland." 

And  all  again  is  silent,  no  voice,  no  breath,  no  sound, 
The  mighty  host  has  vanished  and  stillness  reigns 

around ; 

But  still  the  Jewish  soldier  stands  on  the  fortress  wall, 
And  soon  his  words,  resounding,  like  fiery  missiles  fall, 
"O!  Russia,  for  thy  honor  did  I  lay  down  my  life! 
O !  Russia  thou  hast  torn  me  from  children  and  from 

wife! 

Why  dost  thou  now  condemn  them  to  exile  and  de- 
spair ? 

My  curse,  my  heavy  curses,  to  thee  the  winds  shall 
bear." 

And  scarcely  has  he  uttered  these  curses,  fraught  with 

pain,    • 
When  swift  the  storm-wind  carries  him  to  his  grave 

again. 

And  at  the  self-same  hour,  and  at  the  self-same  place, 
The  self-same  actors  nightly  that  gloomy  scene  retrace. 
The  soldier's  bitter  curses  grow  deeper  night  by  night, 
They  deepen  and  they  gather  until  they  rise  in  might, 
Borne  on  the  tempest's  pinions,  far  o'er  the  land  they 

fly, 

And  on  Gatschina's  palace  forevermore  they  lie. 

ALICE  LUCAS, 


690 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

B'nai  B'rith 

A  DOWN  the  vista  of  the  long  ago, 
**       Like  crimson  flowers  anod  on  slender  stems, 

Or  like  the  gleam  of  iridescent  gems 
That  half-concealed  along  the  wayside  glow, 
Good  deeds  and  great,  and  impulses  divine 
Mark  man's  endeavor  on  the  paths  of  time. 

Whene'er  a  noble  deed  is  sung  by  Fame, 
A  flush  of  joy  enkindles  east  and  west ; 
Yea,  half-unconsciously,  all  earth  is  blessed, 

Since  each  life  hath  on  every  heart  a  claim. 
Doth  not  the  rose  await  the  butterfly, 
The  brook  assume  the  blue  of  summer  sky  ? 

Thus  on  the  path  of  time  a  glowing  light, 
That  gave  its  aid  to  weary,  struggling  men, 
Reflected  was  again  and  yet  again, 

E'en  a  lamp  between  two  mirrors  bright; 

And  clearly  burned  that  beacon-light  wherewith 
Men  learned  thy  life,  thy  love,  B'nai  B'rith. 

For  to  the  lonely  widow's  bare  abode 

Thou  bringest  comfort,  thou  the  tear  dost  dry 
On  pallid  orphan  cheek ;  the  sufferer's  cry 

Has  touched  thy  tender  heart  as  with  a  goad ; 
The  darkened  chamber  where  the  sick  repose, 
Thy  helpful  hand,  thy  cheering  presence,  knows. 

And  e'en  to  realms  far,  far  across  the  seas, 
Where  Hunger  toils,  yet  cannot  ease  its  want, 
Where  chatt'ring  Cold  is  clad  in  garments  scant, 

And  dark  Oppression  reigns, — for  even  these 

Thy  strong  right  hand  has  snapped  the  iron  rod, 
And  'mid  fierce  conflict  claimed  a  truce  of  God, 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Here  did  thy  foot,  on  Freedom's  daisied  turf, 
For  far  Roumania's  child  a  refuge  seek 
From  fire,   from  sword,   from  crimes  we   dare  not 
speak ; 

Here  manhood  crowned  the  erstwhile  cowering  serf. 
And  thou  didst  teach  him  glorious  liberty: 
Hark!  the  refrain,  "My  country,  'tis  of  thee!" 

Ne'er  has  that  country  summoned  thee  in  vain  ; 
Thy  soul  rose  ever,  ready  at  her  call, 
Poor  wind-swept  Galveston,  'neath  ruined  wall, 

Found  swift  relief  from  hunger,  want  and  pain. 
No  tardy  charity  thy  offering  mars — 
Brothers  are  all  beneath  the  Stripes  and  Stars. 

And  now  the  pearl  of  fifty-seven  years 

Glides  on  the  slender  golden  thread  of  time ; 
The  while  lost  voices  through  our  converse  chime, 

We  see  loved  faces  through  a  mist  of  tears — 
The  friends  who  worked  beside  us  long  ago, 
Who  slumber  where  the  waning  grasses  grow. 

Their  hearts  conceived  a  glorious  brotherhood 
Of  friendship  and  of  love — a  power  that  glides 
From  man  to  man,  and  yet  fore'er  abides, 

The  pioneers  of  progress  they,  who  stood 
Upon  the  starry  mountain  peaks  of  time, 
And  saw  the  future  in  a  light  sublime. 

Their  task  is  done;  they  gave  our  outstretched  hands 
The  silken  banner  and  the  silvery  horn, 
On!  upward,  then!     A  golden  age  is  born! 

A  century  its  magic  flower  expands! 

On  life's  great  summits  seek  ye  out  its  birth, 
And  with  its  bloom  and  fragrance  fill  the  earth. 

MIRIAM  DEL  BANCO. 


692 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


B'nai  Brith 

DAUSE,    O    ye   winds   of    Heaven,    pause   in   your 

winged  flight 
To  catch  on  your  spreading  bosom,  on  your  circling 

pinions  bright, 
The  voices  of  Heavenly  joyance,  the  paeans  of  gladsome 

praise 
That  float  from  yon  mansion  of  splendor,  lit  by  eternal 

rays. 

That  float  yon  palace  of  beauty,  that  rears  to  a  tower- 
ing height 

In  proud  built,  massive  grandeur,  its  gleaming  walls 
of  light, 

Yea,  count  ye,  the  many  stories,  and  mark  ye  the  noble 
air 

'Tis  the  Order  B'nai  B'rith — a  castle  wondrous  fair! 

Then  pause,  O  ye  fleeting  winds,  and  hark  to  the  puls- 
ing swells, 

The  anthems  of  glorious  hope,  the  peal  of  the  Jubilee 
bells! 

As  they  mount  to  the  crystal  skies,  and  gladden  the 
welkin  above 

With  their  silvery  voices  of  love,  born  of  a  golden  love. 

A  myriad  host  of  voices,  that  flood  the  night  with  glee 
And  grow  from  a  muffled  murmur  to  an  outcry  wild 

and  free 
As  we  climb  from  the  level  upward,  in  the  wondrous 

palace  of  light, 
And  the  bells  increase  in  beauty,  and  the  walls  increase 

in  might. 

The  sun-kissed  heights  at  last ;  in  pride  subdued  we  turn 
To  cast  a  backward  glance,  and  our  souls  within  us 
burn, 

693 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yea  friends,  a  noble  structure,  framed  from  our  hearts' 

best  love 
With    willing    hands    well-wrought,    and    blessed    by 

Heaven  above. 

See  from  the  thousand  windows,  the  streaming  rays  of 
light 

Dispelling  with  warmth  and  splendor  the  darkness  of 
the  night, 

And  guiding  the  weary  ones,  lost  in  the  blackness  with- 
out, 

Straight  to  the  Beacon  of  hope,  away  from  the  laby- 
rinth of  doubt. 

The  twilight   of   ignorance  changing  to   the   glorious 

noonday  bright, 
A  lamp  of  life  to  the  struggling,  a  torch  to  the  blinded 

sight, 
Enlightenment,  fair  motto  engraved  on  our  walls  and 

souls ; 
Light!  Light!  for  the  night-wrapt  world — yea,  spread 

it  to  the  poles.  RQSA  STRAUSS. 


On  Attempting  to  Convert  the  Jews  to 
Christianity 

"VJf/HEN  thou  canst  wash  the  Ethiopian  white, 

*^     Govern  the  winds  or  give  the  sun  more  light, 
Cause  by  thy  words  the  mountain  to  remove, 
Control  the  seas  or  hurl  the  bolt  of  Jove, 
Then  hope — but  not  till  then — to  turn  the  Jews, 
To  Christian  doctrines,  and  to  Christian  views; 
For  Christian  faith,  say  conscience,  is  thy  guide, 
The  Jews,  for  conscience  sake  'gainst  it  decide. 
One  God  thou  callest  three,  and  three  but  one, 
The  Jews  acknowledge  God  as  one  alone, 
To  whom  all  honour,  praise,  and  glory  due, 
From  Christian,  Pagan,  Mussulman  and  Jew. 

694 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Were  not  the  Jews  from  Abraham  decreed 
To  be  the  holy  and  the  chosen  seed, 
Appointed  to  receive  and  to  record 
The  sacred  scriptures  of  the  Almighty's  word, 
While  every  prophet's  tongue,  and  angels'  voice 
Proclaimed  that  people  God's  peculiar  choice? 
Then  why  should  humanity  presume 
To  question  God's  decree  and  assume 
Wisdom,  beyond  the  reach  of  mortal  ken, 
Unknown  to  angels,  unconceived  by  men  ? 

To  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  to  Jacob  too    . 
God  did  sacred  promises  renew; 
Told  them,  their  seed,  conducted  by  his  hand 
Should  surely  see  and  gain  the  promised  land. 
What  though  proud  Pharaoh  long  in  bondage  kept 
The  sons  of  Jacob,  while  they  mourned  and  wept  ? 
Yet,  in  due  time,  the  promises  prevailed, 
And  God's  beloved  their  great  deliverer  hailed. 

Moses  the  holy  prophet  of  the  Lord, 
With  inspiration  blessed,  proclaimed  the  word ; 
Gave  comfort  when  his  brethren  most  despaired, 
And  all  the  mercies  of  their  God  declared; 
By  miracles  and  wonders  set  them  free 
From  Pharaoh's  proud  and  ruthless  tyranny. 
Led  them  triumphant  from  the  fatal  shore, 
From  which  their  enemies  returned  no  more; 
Who  madly  rash,  and  impiously  brave, 
All  found  in  Israel's  path  a  watery  grave. 
Thus  Pharaoh  and  the  host  of  Egypt  failed — 
Israel  was  saved — the  Lord  of  Hosts  prevailed. 

Did  not  such  wonders  and  such  judgments  prove 
The  Jews  to  be  the  object  of  God's  love? 
Then  what  art  thou  who  darest  dispute  their  claim 
To  blessings  promised  in  the  Eternal  name? 
Oppressed,  distressed,  and  wandering  o'er  the  world, 
The  ensign  of  their  glory  still  unfurled  ? 

695 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

What  now  supports  them?     What  does  joy  afford? 
Hope  in  the  promises — faith  in  God  the  Lord. 

Canst  thou  from  hope  and  faith  their  tribes  seduce 
By  specious  arguments,  howe'er  profuse? 
No,  conversion  must  from  conviction  flow — 
The  mind  to  mere  assertions  cannot  bow; 
Man  must  believe  what  nature's  reasons  cite, 
Until  illumed  by  some  superior  light, 
Canst  thou  communicate  those  rays  divine? 
Presumptuous  man!  let  humbler  thoughts  be  thine. 

Serve  thou  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart  and  soul, 

Seek  not  thy  neighbour's  conscience  to  control ; 

But  humbly  hope  that  all  who  are  sincere 

In  goodness,  will  eternal  mercy  share; 

That  every  honest  charitable  heart 

Will  of  celestial  bliss  enjoy  its  part  ; 

When  God  shall  summon  all  before  his  throne 

Each  one  to  answer  for  himself  alone. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Autumn  Songs 

PHE  Jews,  my  brothers,  will  they  understand  me? 
•*•       And  all  that  stirs  within  a  poet's  heart? 
Will  they  believe  how  deep  can  be  his  sadness, 
How  burning  and  incurable  the  smart? 

A  Jew  has  learned  to  think  of  other  matters 
Since  first  from  out  the  mud  he  raised 

And  stood  upon  his  feet,  and  managed  shortly 
To  look  like  other  people,  God  be  praised ! 

For  all  eternity  he  had  a  teacher, 

On  Sabbath  days  the  Scripture  to  explain 

And  as  he  listened,  full  of  deep  contrition 

He  sighed  and  sobbed ;  his  tears  fell  down  like  rain. 

696 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

And  then  he  had  a  crazy  thing,  a  jester 

A  man  of  brains,  a  youth  sharp-witted,  quick, 

And  in  his  verse  he  would  find  refreshment, 
And  with  his  tongue  would  click. 

And  then  sometimes,  he  brought  him  of  a  pedlar 
Or  else  at  fairs,  a  tale, — upon  my  word, 

It  is  the  very  drollest  thing  that  ever 
Was  seen  or  heard. 

One  reads  and  laughs  and  then  a  little  farther 
One  reads  and  laughs  till  one  is  like  to  split. 

One  laughs,  because  to  that  intent  and  purpose 
The  thing  was  writ. 

What  then  ?     Is  Jewish  life  so  cheerful  ? 

Contains  it  then  so  much  at  which  to  smile? 
Are  there  so  many  things  away  from  sadness 

The  stricken  heart  one  moment  to  beguile? 

And  do  we  then  lament  so  very  seldom  ? 

Let's  reckon  now  and  see  if  we  can  tell : 
We  weep  throughout  the  fast-day  of  Atonement, 

The  rich  and  poor,  the  young  and  old  as  well. 

We  weep  o'er  Lamentations  and  Confession, 

We  weep  the  daylight  and  the  darkness  through, 

And  are  we  not  to  laugh  a  little  ever? 

Go,  let  us  be!  why  that  would  never  do! 

They've  laughed  in  years  gone  by,  and  in  the  future 

To  laugh  they  will  continue,  just  so  long 
As  there  shall  live  a  Jew — then  hush,  be  silent 
My  song,  my  melancholy  song. 

S.  FRUG. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Stone  Blackwell.) 


697 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Feldmesten  or  Measuring  the  Graves 

hill  and  glade,  the  flowers  fade, 
The  bleaching  grass  is  all  a-cold ; 
The  leaves  all  frayed,  in  dust  are  laid, 
The  shrewd  and  churlish  winds  grow  bold. 

Like  jealous  thieves,  they  tear  the  leaves 

That  shiver,  clinging  to  the  tree, 
The  Eden  leaves — the  heart,  it  grieves, 

The  chilly  air's  a  prophecy. 

The  signs  of  loss  and  wreckage  float; 

A  tear  is  trembling  in  the  sky; 
The  bird,  a  lump  is  in  her  throat, 

For  song  and  summer  that  must  die. 

Granny,  these  Ellul  penance  days, 

Days,  purgatorial,  sad  and  sere, 
Like  pilgrim  plods  her  dolorous  ways 

To  burial  grounds  to  drop  her  tear. 

With  prophesying  heart  and  look, 

The  yarn  in  use  for  shrouds  she  buys, 

And  lays  it  in  her  prayer-book, 

And  wipes,  and  wipes  again  her  eyes. 

And  hobbling  hies  her  to  the  graves  ; 

Her  heart,  a  nest  of  gnawing  fears; 
And  there  unwinds,  unwinds  and  laves 

The  thread  with  tears — they  weep,  her  years. 

She  sobs  and  sighs  some  sacred  word, 
With  pain  as  if  the  grave  did  yawn 

Within  her  heart;  as  if  she  heard 

The  whirr  of  worms  in  coffins  spawn. 

She  bows  her  head,  and  lays  the  thread, 
And  metes  and  measures  every  mound; 

Each  peaceful  dwelling  of  the  dead, 
Each  holy  home  in  silence  bound. 

698 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Her  tears,  they  well,  her  tears,  they  roll, 
As  on  the  grave  she  lays  the  line; 

And  something  sobs  within  her  soul, 

"You,  too,  one  day  will  have  this  shrine. 

"Your  sacred  mound,  some  hands  will  mete; 

Who  knows  if  not  your  fingers  now 
Have  measured   here  your  life's  retreat, 

The  grave  which  time  for  you  will  plow?" 

She  wipes  a  tear,  winds  up  again 

The  hallowed,  dusty  tear-touched  thread, 

She  takes  it  home,  and  weaves  amain 
A  wick  by  which  the  Torah's  read. 

A  wick,  a  lamp  for  Judah's  camp, 

That  keeps  the  Torah's  law  of  life — 

And  then  she  sighs — "No  more  they  tramp 
The  dead,  the  dead  are  free  from  strife. 


"O  Lord,  of  love  and  living  ye.ars, 

We  lit  Thy  Torah's  lamp  so  long, 
With  threads  of  graves,  with  threads  of  tears, 

When  will  we  weave  it  threads  of  song?" 

ALTER  ABELSON, 


Nature  and  the  Poet 

JV/T  Y  Rabbi  was  Nature — she  set  me  to  learn, 

She  taught  me  to  sing  and  she  taught  me  to  play, 
She  taught  me  to  think  and  to  feel,  day  by  day, 
And  all  that  is  beautiful,  swift  to  discern, 
The  heart  must  be  fresh,  and  the  brain  clear  and  steady, 
The  scales  and  the  measure  be  waiting  and  ready, 
And  I,  after  all,  have  become — why  you  know  it; 
A  poet,  my  brothers,  a  poor  Jewish  poet. 

S.  FRUG. 


699 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 
On   the   Grave   of  Michael   Gordon 


more  gravestone — one  more  heart 
Cold  and  still  has  found  relief, 
From  the  joy  and  bitter  smart, 
From  the  wrath  of  other's  grief. 

Where  the  ash  is  strewn  about 
Lies  the  dear  old  fiddle  lone 

And  the  crazy  song  rang  out 
With  a  sudden  sound  of  moan. 

Strong  and  earnest,  unafraid 
Rose  the  song  clear  and  high. 

Ring  the  bell — the  piece  is  played! 
Hushed  the  laughter,  hushed  the  cry. 

In  the  land  where,  free  from  pain, 
Thou,  dear  soul,  art  gone  to  live, 

One  assurance  still  retain 

All  the  comfort  we  can  give. 

This,  while  yet  there  lives  a  Jew, 
Through  the  many  coming  years 

Shall  thy  songs  be  sung  anew 

Some  with  laughter,  some  with  tears. 

Sleep  thou  spirit  sweet  and  rare, 
Where  the  leaves  of  life  are  shed ! 

Thine  own  songs  shall  be  the  Pray'r 
Spoke  in  blessing  o'er  the  dead. 

S.  FRUG. 

Sand  and  Stars 

CHINES  the  moon,  the  stars  are  glowing, 

The  night  sweeps  on  o'er  hill  and  plain ; 
In  the  tattered  book  before  me 
I  read,  and  read  them  once  again. 

700 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Ancient  words  of  promise  holy, 

And  loud  at  last  they  speak  to  me 

"As  the  stars  of  heaven — my  people 
And  as  the  sand  beside  the  sea." 

Lord  Almighty  Thou  hast  spoken, 

Unchanging  is  Thy  holy  will, 
Ev'rything  at  Thy  commandment 

His  own  appointed  place  shall  fill. 

Yes,  dear  Lord,  we're  sand  and  pebbles, 
We're  scattered,  underfoot  and  trod, 

But  the  stars,  the  bright  and  sparkling, 

The  stars,  the  stars, — where  are  they,  God? 

S.  FRUG. 

The  False  Hope 

"Zionism's  only  Hope  is  in  the  Jews  of  America." — 
NORDAU. 

IV/fETHOUGHT  I  saw  the  heavy  eyelids  rise, 
*          The  Midased  face  shine  clear  of  its  gilt  dream 

The  lightning  gaze  that  should  beseem 
The  answerer;  the  flash  shall  fire  the  skies 
With  beauty  of  a  mighty  heart  that  flies 

Strong  with   its  hope  and   in  its  strength  supreme 
With  its  own  life  a  people's  life  redeem, 
Ordained  and  sealed  unto  this  enterprise. 

This  great  thing  was :  dear  God !  what  doth  enhance 
The  swinish  sleep,  the  dream,  the  easihead ! . 

What  turns  him  from  the  master — Circumstance 
To  slumber  and  a  trough  of  unearned  bread! 

O  sluggard,  spendthrift  of  the  fateful  Chance! 
O  shameless  shame  of  our  heroic  dead. 

HORACE  M.  KALLEN. 
701 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Out  of  the  Depths 

of  the  depths  of  despair 
There  cometh  a  plaint  and  a  prayer; 
Give  ear  to  this  cry,  O  my  brothers, 
From  lips  that  have  pleaded  for  others! 

"Must  I  die  in  the  land  of  the  living 

A  terrible  two-fold  death, 
Or  come  ye  with  mercy,  life-giving, 

Ere  the  angel  shall  stifle  my  breath? 

"I  found  a  world  of  oppression, 

Of  merciless  hatred  and  greed ; 
God's  wrath — I  gave   it  expression, 

And  the  world  it  could  not  but  heed. 

"I  heard  how  my  people  were  groaning 

'Neath  tyranny's  pitiless  yoke, 
And  I  uttered  their  muffled  moaning 

Till  men  turned  pale  as  I  spoke. 

"And  all  the  reward  that  I  sought  for 
Was  to  share  in  the  ending  of  wrong; 

But  I  fell  in  the  cause  that  I  fought  for, 
Too  weak  for  even  a  song. 

"I  am  still  in  the  land  of  the  living 
Where  greed  and   oppression  abound; 

Yet  spite  of  my  saddest  misgiving, 
My  voice  can  not  utter  a  sound. 

"Will  you  praise  me  and  call  me  a  prophet 
When  my  bones  lie  under  the  sod  ? — 

If  I  heed  it  at  all,  I  shall  scoff  it 
And  call  you  to  'count  before  God. 

"A  crust  of  bread  for  each  flower 
You  are  saving  to  lay  on  my  tomb, 

Mayhap  would  yield  me  the  power 
The  song  of  my  youth  to  resume. 

702 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

'Tis  no  marble  pillar  I  task  for 
But  for  Truth  and  Right  alone; 
Then  stint  not  the  pity  I  ask  for, 
To  pay  me  for  bread,  with  a  stone." 

Out  of  the  depths  of  despair 
O  hearken  a  plaint  and  a  prayer! 
O  brothers,  make  haste  to  attend  it 
Ere  comes  the  grim  Reaper  to  end  it. 

That  ancient  and  often-told  story 
Of   a   prophet   despoiled   of   his   glory, 
Till,  deaf  to  the  praise  of  vain  mortals, 
He  enters  eternity's  portals. 

JOSEPH  JASIN. 


As  the  Stars  and  the  Sands 

THE  hills  and  the  valleys  are  flooded  with  moonlight, 
The  radiant  stars,  how  resplendent  they  gleam! 
Before  me  lies  open  the  dear,  olden  volume, 
On  whose  pages  I  ponder  and  dream. 

I  pore  o'er  its  pages  so  precious  and  sacred, 

When  sudden  there  whispers  a  voice  unto  me: 

"I  have  promised,  O  Israel,  I  have  sworn  to  make  you 
Like  the  stars  of  the  heavens,  the  sands  of  the  sea!" 

O  Lord  of  Creation !  what  mortal  dare  question 
A  single  word  of  Thy  Promise  of  grace? 

Every  deed  Thou  hast  pledged  Thou  art  mighty  to  do 

it — 
Each  thing  in  its  time,  each  part  in  its  place. 

And  one  thing  e'en  now  Thou  hast  surely  fulfilled  it, 
Mine  own  eyes  behold  it,  forbidding  all  doubt; 

We  have  become  like  the  sand  that  is  worthless, 
Trodden  and  trampled  and  blown  about. 

703 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Yes,  dear  Lord,  as  the  sand  the  pebbles 

Are  we  scattered  and  strewn  'neath  contemptuous 

feet  ; 
But  the  stars — how  long,  O  Lord,  ere  the  stars 

The  yearning  eyes  with  their  glory  shall  greet? 

S.  FRUG. 
(Translated  by  Joseph  Jasin.) 


"  .  •  •  Whom   You  Are   to   Blame" 

(Dedicated  to  "Mentor.") 

/^\NCE  in  my  secluded  chamber 
^       Late  at  night  I  read 
Israel's  ancient  wondrous  story; 
How  he  shone  and  shed 

Light  around  him,  in  his  homeland 
Thriving  free  and  great  .  .  . 

Then  my  thoughts  passed  to  his  later 
Treacherous,  cruel  fate: 

Israel  homeless,  footsore,  captive 

Into  exile  goes, 
And  the  world  has  long  forgotten 

What  to  him  it  owes. 

"Gentile  world !     You  have  polluted 
Springs  from  which  you  drank!" 

And  in  bitter,  sad  reflections, 
Tired  and  weak  I  sank.  .  .  . 


Stealthily  an  old  man  entered 

My  secluded  room; 
On  his  breast  a  cross  suspended, 

In  his  eyes — deep  gloom. 

704 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

"Fear  not,"  said  he,  "vain  intruder 

I  am  not,  you'll  find; 
You  accused  me,   and  I  came  here, 

Came  to  speak  my  mind. 

"Not  defend  myself,  but  tell  you 

Whom  you  are  to  blame 
For  your  homelessness,  your  downfall, 

For  your  grief  and  shame. 

"No,  not  I,  but  you  polluted 

Your  eternal  spring; 
Home  and  faith  and  pride  abandoned, 

And  to  exile  cling. 

"Kneel  and  pray  to  alien  altars, 

Worship  alien  gods, 
Even  like  in  cast-off  garments 

Deal  in  cast-off  thoughts. 

"Gather  crumbs  at  strangers'  tables  .  .  . 

No,  your  pride  is  gone! 
For  you  glory  that  you  have  no 

Table  of  your  own.  .  .  . 

"Faith,  and  truth,  and  pride — all  treasures 

You  have  prized  of  old  ; 
For  a  lentil-pottage  long  since 

You  your  birthright  sold. 

"You  no  longer  feel  the  horror 

Of  a  slave's  disgrace. 
Do  you  want  me  to  respect  you, 

Honour  such  a  race? 

"Once  you  heroes  had  and  prophets 

Noble,  great  and  true; 
How  much  of  their  daring  spirit 

Now  is  left  in  you? 

705 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Grandsons  of  the  Maccabeans! 

If  those  heroes  came 
Saw  their  servile  offsprings — they  would 

Die  again — of  shame! 

"Dead  is  all  your  pride  and  valour, 

Silent  is  your  tongue, 
Tongue  of  bards,  and  kings  and  prophets — 

You  forsook  it  long. 

"And  your  home  that  waits  deserted 

Do  you  e'er  recall? 
Where  are  all  your  rich  and  mighty — 

Mammon's  High  Priests  all? 

"Like  deserters  they  are  sailing 

Under  foreign  flags, 
Lackeys  that  their  masters'  mantles 

Wear — to  hide  their  rags. 

"Crumbs  of  bread,  and  night  of  lodging — 

Dare  no  more  expect! 
No,  a  race  that  lost  its  self-pride 

No  one  can  respect. 

"This  is  all  I  came  to  tell  you! 
Now,  good-bye  ...  I  spoke.  ..." 

"Stay!"  I  shrieked,  "I  must  reply  you, 
Stay" — and  I  awoke.  .  .  . 

P.  M.  RASKIN. 

Side  by  Side 

JEW  and  Christian,  side  by  side, 
They  rest  in  the  cool  earth's  bosom  wide — 
Or  lying  deep  where  the  billows  sweep, 
In  the  heart  of  the  great  green  sea  they  sleep ! 
Over  them  flutters  the  banner  fair, 
While  a  sadness  thrills  in  the  Springtide  air. 

706 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Jew  and  Christian,  side  by  side, 
As  men  they  fought,  and  as  men  they  died ! 
Like  brothers  stood  fast  at  the  bugle  blast, 
Until  like  brothers  they  sleep  at  last. 
While  over  them  flutters  the  banner  fair, 
And  a  sadness  thrills  in  the  Springtide  air. 

. 

Jew  and  Christian,  side  by  side, 

For  their  common  country  they  lived  and  died, 
And  they  vigil  keep,  in  their  dreamless  sleep, 
O'er  the  brotherhood  that  is  ours  to  keep. 
While  over  u±  flutters  the  banner  fair, 
Though  a  sadness  thrills  in  the  Springtide  air. 

ISABELLA  R.  HESS. 


The  Young  Rabbi 

'T'HOU  lookest  backward   reverently.     'Tis  well! 
The  springs  of  life  and  faith  are  still^our  shrines, 
And,  standing  strong  in  living  deed,  the  spell 
Of  this  day's  call  thy  listening  heart  divines. 

The  to-morrow's  light  is  on  thy  brow,  thy  step 
Leans  forward  where  the  quickening  Word  abides; 

Thy  past  a  pledge  that  yet  that  Mystic  Roll 
A  fuller,  holier  revelation  hides. 

Young  heritor  of  ancient  faith,  thou  guide 
Of  present  need,  and  seer  of  faith  to  be! 

The  august  centuries  converge  on  thee — 
One  living  God  behind,  before,  beside. 

The  same  Eternal  keeps  the  open  door; 

Stand  forth  with  Him  and  sing  to-day's  Mismor! 

E.  C.  L.  BROWNE. 


707 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


"  .  .  .  and  Give  Thee  Peace" 

THE  Summer  glories  fade  in  autumn  mists, 

The  sombre  earth  is  wrapped  in  clouds  of  gloom ; 
Faint  through  the  storm-filled  air  a  sound  is  borne, 
A  sound  of  dread — a  sound  of  awful  doom. 

It  is  the  tread  of  armed  marching  hosts, 
The  muffled  roar  of  death-dispensing  fire, 

The  cry  of  anguish,  and  the  piteous  groan 
Of  brave  men  dying  in  the  battle  mire. 

O  God !  that  creatures  fashioned  in  Thy  shape 
Should  in  Thy  sight,  their  brother-creatures  slay! 

Oh,  riddle  dire!  whose  answer  we  must  wait 
Beyond  the  narrow  limit  of  the  day ! 

Let  forth   the   snow-plumed   bird!     Speed  Thou   her 
flight 

Across  this  world  of  storm,  and  stress,  and  strife, 
That  where  she  spreads  her  magic  pinions'  shade, 

Joy  may  awake  to  sweet  and  happy  life ! 

FLORENCE  WEISBERG. 


Twenty-one  Years  of  Rescue  Work 

OHAMED  and  degraded  you  call  them — they! 
*^   Flung  in  the  nameless  abysses,  whose  anguish  de- 
files, ^ 
Where  grief  is  forbidden  to  weep,  and  agony  forced 

into  smiles. 
Shamed  and  degraded,  you  say! 

O  for  a  tongue  of  fire,  for  words  like  to  scourging 

flame, 

Telling  that  theirs   is  the  anguish,   and  ours,  ours 
only,  the  shame. 

708 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Ours,  or  we  shudder  and  turn  aside, 

Holding  our  whiteness  aloof  from  the  stench  and  the 

stain, 
While  t'wards  those  pestilent  depths  there  passes  a 

pitiful  train, 
Hunger  and  evil  their  guide, 

Innocent,    ignorant,    starving,    thrust    forth   on    the 

fatal  track — 
Ours  is  the  shame,  for  they  perish,  and  we  could 

have  held  them  back! 

Could — nay,  we  can,  for  behold  the  throng, 

Sad  souls  ready  to  perish,  still  passing  the  self-same 

way, 

Men  and  women  of  Israel,  come  to  their  aid  this  day, 
Rise,  let  your  hands  be  made  strong ! 

Souls,  in  God's  image  created,  maimed,  prisoned  and 

tortured  see. 

God  do  so  to  us  and  more  also,  if  we  do  not  set 
them  free! 

ALICE  LUCAS. 


A  Call  to  Israel 

Vf/HERE  is  the  modern  Judah  Maccabee? 

**         He  of  the  dauntless  soul  in  warrior  guise, 
To  lead  anew  the  world's  hope  of  the  free, 

While  silent  nations  Israel's  claim  denies; 
Shall  tortured  hearts  by  hands  tyrannic  slain, 
Throughout  long  years  bear  martyrdom  in  vain? 

Where  dwells  that  silent,  kingly  soul  unknown? 

Predestined  champion  of  illustrious  race, — 
His  portion  more  than  splendors  of  a  throne; 

To  bear  aloft  the  Lion  standard's  grace; 
With  human  voice  of  God's  authority, 
To  summon  all  the  hosts  of  Liberty! 

709 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

It  may  be  'neath  compulsion's  daily  toil, 

Eating  the  bitter  crusts  of  poverty; 
A  trembling  exile,  on  a  foreign  soil, 

Our  New  Deliverer  finds  that  destiny 
Has  wrought  misfortune  for  Life's  higher  aim, 
And  the  world's  freedom  in  God's  holy  namei 

It  may  be,  that  by  song  and  music  lulled 

Into  the  selfish  life's  forgetfulness, 
The  heart  thornless  flowers  of  beauty  culled, 

Feels  the  quick  throb  of  pitying  helpfulness  ; 
The  wakened  conscience,  for  the  needs  of  Time, 
Fashions  the  hero  unto  acts  sublime. 

In  Israel's  glorious  past  transcendent  shone 
The  reverent  daring  of  the  Woman-soul ; 

Fair  Esther  proved  her  birthright  to  a  throne; 
Great  names  adorn  eventful  centuries'  roll, 

With  trumpet-blast  of  battle ; — silent  deed, 

Of  noblest  service  to  a  world  in  need. 

May  not  the  wise,  omnipotent  decree 

Of  the  All-Merciful,  Eternal  One, 
Find  'mid  the  multitude  of  brave  and  free, 

Some  modern  Judith?  in  ascendance  won 
For  Freedom's  holiest  cause ;  to  light  the  way 
Unto  the  Tyrants'  overthrow,  To-day! 

• 
How  sweet  the  peace  of  blest  security! 

As  'gainst  all  warfare  hearts  humane  declaim  ; 
That  is  no  righteous  use  of  liberty, 

That  blends  with  Freedom's  breath  a  despot's  name. 
By  force  and  fraud,  and  cruel  wrong  assailed, 
With  sheathed  sword,  Justice  keeps  her  pure  eyes  veiled ! 
And  Force  and  Fraud,  hand  linked  with  B 
Form  the  Chief  Guards  of  Russia's  sovereignty. 

Where  is  the  modern  Judah  Maccabee? 

Welcome  the  Conqueror  in  whatever  guise! 
Life  is  but  living  death  when  liberty 

Beneath  Oppression's  stifling  process  dies. 

710 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Rise  valiant  daughters  of  the  prophet  line. 
Rise,  Jewish  warriors  with  the  rage  divine, 
That  scorns  subjections!  better  honored  graves, 
Than  longer  be  the  blood-stained  Tyrant's  slaves. 
The  world  that  should  espouse  your  cause  is  still — 
Arise!     Arm!     Strike!  do  Freedom's  holy  will! 

CORA  WILBURN. 


Meditations  at  Twilight 

A  H,  more  and  more  at  evening, 
**•       When  twilight  edges  to  its  end, 
And   darkness,  eastern  caverns   leaving, 

Her  shadow  o'er  creation  bend ; 
The  lowing  moments  foster  meaning 

Upon  the  pageant  of  decay, 
As  glory  into  night  diffusing 

Brings  untoward  sadness  in  her  way. 

Within  that  evening  calm  there  comes 

A  recollection  faint  and  dim 
Of  boyhood,  of  Sabbath  hour  and  homes, 

Of  synagogue  and  temple  hymn, 
When  in  abated  breath  we  heard 

The  echoes  of  our  spirit-fathers, 
In  praise  and  reverential  word 

Of  prayer.     This  spirit  hovers. 

Their  hymns  re-echo  in  my  dreams, 

They  too  felt  doubt,  despondency; 
And  saw  our  mistrusts  also  beam 

In  thought.     The  poet  and  sages  fancy 
Gave  them  hope  beyond  our  mind, 

More  truthful  to  the  thought  of  God, 
To  attributes  that  firmly  bind 

A  God  above — yet  man  to  sod, 

7U 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

For  ages  have  Thy  children  sought 

And  find  Thy  mercy  hath  no  end, 
Greater  thought  and  deeds  are  wrought 

On  earth  to-day,  than  in  the  trend 
Of  generations  turned  to  dust; 

Still  must  with  love  our  bosom  heave, 
With  hope  and  common  manful  trust, 

The  rest — to  God  we  meekly  leave. 

And  lo !  upon  yon  lum'nous  ascent, 

There  glitters  joyously  the  star 
Proclaiming  night.     Ah,  day  hath  sent 

Her  messengers  of  light  afar, 
Come  spirit  of  the  evening,  dwell 

With  us,  and  in  our  life's  increase 
Of  doubt  and  the  annoying  spell, 

Of  discontent — to  us — bring  peace. 

.  JOSEPH  LEISER. 


The  Ne<w   Jewish   Hospital  at  Hamburg 

A     HOSPITAL  for  the  poor  and  weary  Jew, 
**•       For  sons  of  man  that  suffer  three-fold  ills; 
Burdened  and  baned  with  three  infirmities; 
With  poverty,  disease,  and  Judaism! 

The  worst  of  all  has  ever  been  the  last, 

The  Jewish  sickness  of  the  centuries, 

The  plague  caught  in  the  Nile  stream's  slimy  vale, 

The  old  unwholesome  faith  that  Egypt  knew. 

No  healing  for  this  sickness!     All  in  vain 
The  vapor-bath  and  douch,  vain  all  the  tricks 
Of  surgery,  vain  all  this  house  may  bring 
Of  simples  to  its  fever-tossing  guests. 

Will  Time  perchance,  the  eternal  goddess,  blot 
This  gloomy  sorrow  that  handed  down 
From  sire  to  son — will  some  far  children  know 
The  perfect  happiness  of  cloudless  health? 

712 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

None  can   foretell!     Yet  meantime  let  us  praise 
The  heart  that  full  of  love  and  wisdom  sought 
To  trickle  balm  upon  the  rankling  wound, 
To  give  what  comfort  still  is  possible. 

This  loving  man  has  built  a  shelter  here 

For  suffering  that  a  skillful  hand  may  soothe 

Or  cure,  or  haply  Death's  if  others  fail. 

Beds  sets  he  here  and  cooling  drinks  and  care. 

A  man  of  deeds,  he  did  what  one  might  do 
And  in  the  evening  of  his  days  he  paid 
Unto  good  works  the  needful  due,  and  dreamed 
To  rest  from  labor  in  kind  charity. 

Unstinted  was  his  hand — yet  richer  gifts 
Rolled  down  his  cheeks  so  many  a  time — the  tears, 
The  precious,  generous  tears  that  oft  he  wept 
For  his  poor  brethren's  immedicable  ill. 

HEINRICH  HEINE. 


The  Rose  of  Sharon 

!     I  love  to  roam  in  fancy  o'er  the  hills  where 

Zion  stood, 
There  to  watch  the  daughter  Zion  weeping  o'er  her 

widowhood ; 
She  was  like  the  bride  of  beauty  storied  in  the  Song 

of  Songs, 
Who  was  queen  of  all  the  maidens,  peer  among  the 

lily  throngs. 

Sharon's  lily,  bride  of  beauty  how  I  love  to  think  of 

thee, 
For  thy  lips  were  threads   of  crimson   and   thy   neck 

of  ivory, 
For  thine  eyes  seemed  pools  of  water,  clear  as  Hesh- 

bon's  melted  dew, 
And  thy  lips  were  dripping  honey,  so  I  love  to  think 

of  you. 

713 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Oh!  for  all  the  wise  king's  glory  who  was  Israel's 

paragon, 

He  was  like  a  stately  cedar,  cedar  of  the  Lebanon: 
I  can  see  his  litter  lifted  by  his  expert  men  of  war, 
As  it  passed  sweet  odor  drifted,  myrrh  and  spikenard 

through  its  door. 

Israel  wedded  to  its  glory,  like  a  garden  to  its  flowers, 
When  the  north  wind  blew  upon  it,  it  was  sweet  with 

scented  showers; 
For  the  bride,  the  Rose  of  Sharon,  was  the  land  of 

Palestine, 
There  the  fig  tree  grew  and  ripened,  there  the  apple 

and  the  vine. 

There   sweet   cinnamon    and   saffron   and    the   incense 

bearing  trees, 
There  the  calamus  and  spices  perfumed  each  passing 

breeze ; 
There  grew  myrrh  and  there  the  aloe,  there  the  nard 

and  henna  bloom, 
There    to    die    on   Zion's   bosom    made   of   death   the 

sweetest  doom. 
Oh !  how  I  would  love  to  see  thee  as  thou  wast  when 

in  thy  prime, 
When  thy  marble  pavements  echoed  with  the  sandals 

keeping  time 
To  the  chorus  of  the  Levites  as  they  climbed  the  temple 

steep, 
Singing    psalms   and    hallelujahs,   with   their    ranks    a 

thousand  deep. 

Yet  I  would  not  weep,  O  daughter,  for  a  better  day 
must  near, 

And  I  would  not  back  to  Zion,  for  the  prophets  made 
this  clear, 

That  the  world  shall  be  our  garden  where  shall  blos- 
som Zion's  tree, 

This,  the  "tree  of  life,"  the  Torah,  which  shall  bloom 
eternall. 


THE    MODERN   PERIOD 

Then,   away  with  clouds  of  ashes  and  the  weeds  of 

widowhood, 
For  the  world's  a  greater  temple  than  the  shrine  where 

Zion  stood; 
And  I  would  not  back  to  Zion  and  I  would  not  back 

again, 
For  our  God  has  made  our  mission  not  for  us  but  for 

all  men.  HARRY  WEISS. 


The  Age  of  Toleration" 

this  "the  age  of  toleration  "—Yet 
'Tis  well  so  named  for  you  that  wield  Earth's  state : 

'Tis  a  vast,  bloody  show  ye  tolerate, 
Mute  mouths,   glazed  eyes,   round   Hate's  arena  set! 
Behold  your  "Christian"  robes  all  dabbled  wet, 

With  human  crimson,  stains  which  to  abate 

No  throat  thrills  out — (though  soft  ye  come,  too  late 
With  bootless  gold  and  maudlin,  vain  regret!) 
Comes  this  of  Fear,  great  Nations?     Can  it  be 

None  dares  the  dripping  monster's  bloodshot  eye? 

Not  pious  Germany,  not  ransomed  Gaul, 
Proud  Britain,  nor —    Oh,  shame,  thy  form  to  see 

With  theirs,  my  country!  leaning  from  thy  stall, 

Pale  but  still  mute,  while  Hell  goes  glittering  by ! 

ARTHUR  UPTON. 


Intolerance 

""THOU  canst  have  no  other  God  but  mine; 
•*•         Of  what  avail  is  holy  script? 
Who  is  this  God  thou  call'st  thine; 

He  utters  not  from  heart,  but — lip ; 
Go — get  thee  hence  before  ye  rue; 

My  God,  my  creed's  alone  sublime, 
Thy  creeds,  thy  laws  are  all  untrue, 

My  God,  and  mine's  alone  divine. 

RAY  TRUM  NATHAN. 

715 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


They   Tell  Me 

""THEY  tell  me,  "Give  thy  nation  up; 

The  ancient  graves  resign! 
Give  us  thy  soul — then  plenty,  wealth, 
And  greatness  shall  be  thine." 

They  tell  me:  "Think  not  to  rebuild 

The  City,  proud  and  tall, 
Of  whose  old  splendor  there  is  left 

Only  a  crumbling  wall. 

"Dream  not  thy  nation  to  arouse 

Out  of  its  slumber  deep; 
Behold,  it  has  so  many  years 

Lain  in  a  marmot's  sleep!" 

False  prophets,  hush !     Fie,  charlatans ! 

I  swerve  not  from  the  goal. 
I  will  not  give  my  honor  up, — 

I  will  not  sell  my  soul. 

The  path  my  fathers  trod  through  life 

I  follow  straight  and  clear; 
Should  Death  demand  me,  I  will  mount 

The  scaffold  without  fear. 

My  God,  my  race,  I  will  not  change 

For  gold  or  jewels'  fires. 
More  than  a  stranger's  treasure-house 

A  grave  among  my  sires. 

EZEKIEL  LEAVITT. 

(Translation    from    the    Hebrew    by    Alice    Stone 
Blackwell.) 


716 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Gifts 

(~)H,  World-God,  give  me  Wealth!"  the  Egyptian 
^          cried. 

His  prayer  was  granted.     High  as  heaven,  behold 
Palace  and  Pyramid ;  the  brimming  tide 

Of  lavish  Nile  washed  all  his  land  with  gold. 
Armies  of  slaves  toiled  ant-wise  at  his  feet; 
World-circling  traffic  roared  through  mart  and  street; 
His  priests  were  gods;  his  spice-balmed  kings  enshrined, 

Set  death  at  naught  in  rock-ribbed  charnels  deep. 
Seek  Pharaoh's  race  to-day,  and  ye  shall  find 

Rust  and  the  moth,  silence  and  dusty  sleep. 

"Oh,  World-God,  give  me  Beauty!"  cried  the  Greek. 

His  prayer  was  granted.     All  the  earth  became 
Plastic  and  vocal  to  his  sense;  each  peak, 

Each   grove,   each   stream,  quick  with    Promethean 

flame, 

Peopled  the  world  with  imaged  grace  and  light. 
The  lyre  was  his,  and  his  the  breathing  might 
Of  the  immortal  marble ;  his  the  play 

Of  diamond-pointed  thought  and  golden  tongue 
Go  seek  the  sunshine-race,  ye  find  to-day 

A  broken  column  and  a  lute  unstrung. 

"Oh,  World-God,  give  me  Power!"  the  Roman  cried. 

His    prayer    was    granted.     The    vast    world    was 

chained 
A  captive  to  the  chariot  of  his  pride. 

The  blood  of  myriad  provinces  was  drained 
To  feed  that  fierce,  insatiable  red  heart. 
Invulnerably  bulwarked  every  part 
With  serried  legions  and  with  close-meshed  Code; 

Within,  the  burrowing  worm  had  gnawed  its  home; 
A  roofless  ruin  stands  where  once  abode 

Th'  imperial  race  of  everlasting  Rome. 

717 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"Oh,  Godhead,  give  me  Truth !"  the  Hebrew  cried. 

His  prayer  was  granted.     He  became  the  slave 
Of  the  Idea,  a  pilgrim  far  and  wide, 

Cursed,  hated,  spurned,  and  scourged  with  none  to 

save. 

The  Pharaohs  knew  him,  and  when  Greece  beheld, 
His  wisdom  wore  the  hoary  crown  of  Eld. 
Beauty  he  hath  forsworn,  and  Wealth  and  Power. 

Seek  him  to-day,  and  find  in  every  land ; 
No  fire  consumes  him,  neither  floods  devour; 

Immortal  through  the  lamp  within  his  hand. 

EMMA  LAZARUS. 


Hebrew  Cradle  Song 

"MIGHT  has  on  the  earth  descended, 
*  ^        All  around  is  silence  deep, 
Sleep,  my  darling,  I  am  with  thee; 
Sleep  a  calm  and  peaceful  sleep. 

I  no  lullabies  shall  sing  thee; 

Songs  are  at  an  end  to-night; 
Sleep  in  peace,  oh,  sleep  on  sweetly, 

Long  as  sleep  thou  canst,  my  light. 

In  our  native  fields  aforetime, 
Wondrous  songs  we  used  to  sing', 

Improvising  them  in  gardens 

Turning  green  with  early  spring. 

Where  grew  daffodils  and  myrtles, 
Stately  palms  upreared  their  heights, 

Cypress  trees  spread  wide  their  branches, 
Splendid  roses  blossomed  bright. 

But  those  notes  are  hushed  and  silenced; 

Ruined  now  our  Zion  lies; 
Mourning  sounds  instead  of  singing; 

Yea,  for  songs  we  hear  but  sighs. 

718 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

All  thou  needs  must  know,  my  darling, 

Of  thy  nation's  piteous  plight, 
Thou  wilt  learn  and  weep  for  sorrow, 

As  thy  mother  weeps  to-night. 

But  why  now  in  vain  disturb  thee? 

Let  thy  tranquil  slumber  last, 
Until  over  thee,  my  dearest, 

The  dark  day  of  rain  hath  passed! 

To  the  school,  my  son,  I'll  lead  thee 
By  the  hand;  there  thou  shalt  learn 

All  our  Bible  and  our  knowledge. 

Wondrous  pearls  thou  wilt  discern — 

Pearls  of  wisdom  in  our  Talmud, 

Gems  our  sages'  lore  affords; 
Thou  shalt  taste  of  prayer's  first  sweetness 

And  the  charm  of  God's  great  words. 

Ne'er  forget  thou  art  a  Hebrew! 

Little  son,  remember  well, 
Even  to  the  grave,  the  stories 

That  thy  mother  used  to  tell! 

EZEKIEL  LEAVITT. 
(Translated  by  Alice  Stone  Blackwell.) 


Jewish  Lullaby 

harp  is  on  the  willow-tree, 
Else  would  I  sing,  O  love,  to  thee 
A  song  of  long  ago — 
Perchance  the  song  that  Miriam  sung 
Ere  yet  Judea's  heart  was  wrung 
By  centuries  of  woe. 

719 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

I  ate  my  crust  in  tears  today, 

As  scourged  I  went  upon  my  way — 

And  yet  my  darling  smiled  ; 
Aye,  beating  at  my  breast,  he  laughed — 
My  anguish  curdled  not  the  draught — 

'Twas  sweet  with  love,  my  child ! 

The  shadow  of  the  centuries  lies 
Deep  in  thy  dark  and  mournful  eyes; 

But,  hush !  and  close  them  now, 
And  in  the  dreams  that  thou  shalt  dream 
The  light  of  other  days  shall  seem 

To  glorify  thy  brow! 

Our  harp  is  on  the  willow-tree— 
I  have  no  song  to  sing  to  thee, 

As  shadows  round  us  roll; 
But,  hush  and  sleep,  and  thou  shalt  hear 
Jehovah's  voice  that  speaks  to  cheer 

Judea's   fainting   soul! 

EUGENE  FIELD. 


Patriotism 
From  the  Persian 

""PO  each  his  country  dearer  far 
*         Than  the  throne  of  Solomon; 
Thorns  from  home,  too,  dearer  are 

Than  myrtle  or  than  cinnamon. 
Joseph,  in  the  pride  of  State, 

Ruling  over  Egypt's  strand 
Sighed,  and  would  have  changed  his  fate. 

For  poverty  in  Canaan's  Land. 

Translated  by  ROBERT  NEEDHAM  CUST. 


720 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Optimism 

PHE  rose  is  hid  by  prickly  thorn, 
•*•     Behind  each  night  there  lurks  a  morn, 
Amidst  most  threat'ning  sombre  skies 
The  many  colored  rainbow  lies. 
No  night  was  e'er  so  hopeless  black 
That  it  at  least  one  star  did  lack; 
So  pleasure  lies  conceal'd  midst  pain 
And  joy  is  found  in  sorrow's  train. 

I.  Z.  JOSEPHSON. 

To  My  Lyre 

WONDERFUL  is  my  love 

The  love  that  my  songs  ye  inspire; 
My  spirit,  my  flame  and  my  fire, 
My  trophies,  my  treasures  of  old. 
My  temples,  my  silver,  my  gold, 
My  garden  of  flowers,  my  dove, 
My  comfort,  my  balm  and  my  lyre 
The   hopes   my   years   are   in  ye 
More  sweet  than  the  world  above 
And  the  sweets  of  the  world  to  be. 

JOSEPH  MASSEL. 


To    Walter  Lionel   de  Rothschild   on 
His  Bar-Mitzvah 

""THINE  is  the  heritage  of  ancient  birth, 

Age  upon  age  hath  dawned  since  first  thy  race 
Was  cradled  in  the  empurpled  East:  the  place 

Whence  seer  and  king  have  sprung — the  great  of  earth. 

And  thine  the  heritage  of  higher  worth ; 

The  large-souled  Charity,  whose  pitying  grace 
Hath  left  nor  land  nor  sea  without  its  trace, 

And  raised  a  plenteous  harvest  'midst  the  dearth, 

But  thine  a  greater  heritage  than  these; 

721 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

The   heaven-born   Faith,   thy  sires  have   taught  the 

world  ; 
Which  lifts  thine  eyes  to  God  without  surcease, 

And  bid  thee  guard  His  banner,  wide  unfurled. 
That  deathless  Faith  make  thou  thy  steadfast  star, 
Thy  heart  shall  know  a  peace  no  pain  can  mar. 

Louis  B.  ABRAHAMS. 

Sonnet 
Addressed  to  Sir  Moses  Montefiore,  Dec.  10,  1878. 

TF  Patriarchal  days  alone  were  thine — 

Though  we  might  well  adore  the  mighty  Hand 

Which  oft  has  led  thee  in  the  Promised  Land 
To  trace  the  glories  of  thine  earlier  line, 
Thou  faithful  servant  of  that  Lord  Divine 

Which  tends  like  Shepherd  true  the  minished  band 

Of  Israel — though  such  life  in  wisdom  planned 
Might  well  our  hearts  to  wondering  faith  incline, 
Now  wonder  yields  to  high  and  hallowing  thought 

That  faith  alone  could  lead  thine  onward  way 
And  teach  our  souls  with  earthly  cares  distraught 

To  follow  through  the  gloom  that  brightening  ray 
Which  leads  thee,  now  thine  earthly  work  is  wrought, 

Leaning  on  God,  to  wait  the  coming  day. 

CANON  JENKINS. 


Sir  Moses  Montefiore 

G  WEET  blue-eyed  Charity,  devout  and  calm, 

^       Hath  been  the  dear  companion  of  his  days, 
How  hath  he  hearken'd  to  her  prayerful  lays, 

Sad-voic'd  and  plaintive  as  an  angel's  psalm! 

She  pointed  and  he  hasten'd  where  the  palm 
Sighs  faintly  in  the  pitiless  Syrian  rays, 
Where  men  sank  gasping  on  the  lone  highways 

And  cried  aloud  for  succor  and  for  balm. 

722 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  sick  he  heal'd,  the  fallen  rais'd  he  up; 
Light  track'd  his  footsteps  through  the  darksome  land- 
And  sav'd,  men  wept  and  bless'd  him  in  their  tears. 
Come,  friends,  lift  we  on  high  the  loving  cup 

And  hail  with  greetings  from  our  distant  strand 
This  hero  crested  with  his  hundred  years! 

E.  YANCEY  COHEN. 


ROUPS  of  radiant  angels  soaring 

Upward  in  the  sunshine's  gleam ; 
Watched  as  through  the  gates  of  heaven, 

In  their  arms  a  form  they  bore; 
And  a  thousand  angel  voices 
Sang  the  name  of  Montefiore! 

Somewhere  I  have  caught  the  echo, 

Drifting  on  till  time  shall  end — 
Caught   the  sound   of   grief   and  mourning; 

For  the  poor  have  lost  their  friend ! 
Silent  is  the  voice  that  pleaded, 

Motionless  the  hand  that  gave, 
And  the  voice  that  loved  and  pitied 

Stilled  and  pulseless  in  the  grave. 

Softly  rest  his  soul  in  slumber! 

He  was  weary,  he  was  lone  ; 
Long  ago  his  household  angel 

Flitted  off  to  heaven's  throne. 
Weep  no  tear,  nor  bow  in  sorrow, 

Praise  the  God  we  all  adore, 
For  He  crowned  the  earth  with  blessing 

When  he  gave  it  Montefiore. 

MIRIAM  DEL  BANCO. 


IS  life  worth  living?     To  the  querulous  cry 
*   Let  this  long  record,  lately  closed,  reply ! 
A  century  of  service  to  mankind ! 
Pessimist  cold  and  cynic  blandly  blind, 

723 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

'Tis  fitter  comment  on  that  query  stale 

Than  sneers  that  pall  and  arguments  that  fail. 

Long  in  the  land  his  days,  whose  heart  and  hand 

All  high  and  human  causes  could  command ; 

Long  in  the  land  his  memory  will  abide 

His  country's  treasure  and  his  people's  pride. 

PUNCH. 


'mid  the  clash  of  arms  he  won 
An  evanescent  fame, 
Nor  in  a  nation's  councils  gained 
A  statesman's  honored  name; 

But  in  humanity's  great  cause 

He  nobly  did  his  part, 
So  shall  his  loved  memory  be 

Enshrined  in  every  heart. 

With  lavish  hand,  on  all  alike, 

His  charity  bestowing, 
None  sought  in  vain  his  kindly  heart, 

With  generous  impulse  glowing. 

More  lasting  far  than  marble  shaft, 

Or  mausoleum  grand, 
His  mem'ry  shall  remain,  while  sounds 

His  fame  in  every  land. 

Louis  MEYERHARDT. 


[    SAW — 'twas  in  a  dream,  the  other  night — 
*     A  man  whose  hair  with  age  was  thin  and  white ; 
One  hundred  years  had  bettered  by  his  birth, 
And  still  his  step  was  firm,  his  eye  was  bright. 

Before  him  and  about  him  pressed  a  crowd. 
Each  head  in  reverence  was  bared  and  bowed, 

And  Jews  and  Gentiles  in  a  hundred  tongues 
Extolled  his  deeds  and  spake  his  fame  aloud. 

724 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

I  joined  the  throng,  and,  pushing  forward,  cried, 
"Montefiore!"  with  the  rest,  and  vied 

In  efforts  to  caress  the  hand  that  ne'er 
To  want  and  worth  had  charity  denied. 

\x/ 

So  closely  round  him  swarmed  our  shouting  clan 
He  scarce  could  breathe,  and,  taking  from  a  pan 

A  gleaming  coin,  he  tossed  it  o'er  our  heads, 
And  in  a  moment  was  a  lonely  man ! 

AMBROSE  BIERCE. 

Jesse  Seligman 

I_JIS  was  another  race  than  mine 

*•  *•       Another  faith,  from  which  mine  sprung: 

He  traced  his  lineage  by  another  line, 

And  gained  his  manhood  in  another  tongue. 

Yet  when  he  sought  our  common  sky, 
And  breathed  the  welcome  of  its  air, 

His  soul  rose  up,  as  eagles  fly, 

To  the  full  heights  of  manhood  there. 

Oh,  Brother  ours!  whose  life  has  beamed 
With  faith  in  God,  with  love  of  man, 

Through  which  thy  patriot  virtues  streamed 
To  bless  and  aid  our  noble  land. 

I  stand  to-day  beside  thy  bier, 

To  own  thy  brotherhood  divine, 
And  proudly  claim  with  many  a  tear, 

That  Israel's  God  is  thine  and  mine. 

• 

NOAH  DAVIS. 


725 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Benjamin  Artom 
Chief  Rabbi  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  Jews. 

\W~ITH  mournful  pomp  they  bore  him  to  the  grave 
VV    With  all  the  solemn  pageantry  of  woe ; 
No  ancient  right  or  custom  would  they  waive 

Which  might  their  grief  and  awe-struck  reverence 

show  ; 

With  honour  and  with  state  they  laid  him  low, 
And  dignities  as  if  a  Prince  had  died  ; 

He  was  a  Prince — none  nobler  rank  could  know 
Than  that  he  bore  with  such  an  honest  pride — 
God's  priest!     A  warrior  chief  righting  on   Heaven's 
side! 

He  came  a  stranger  from  his  Southern  shore. 

To  colder  climes,  to  natures  less  intense, 
He  came — and  was  a  stranger  then  no  more, 

For  with  the  music  of  his  eloquence 
He  won  our  hearts,  and  charmed  our  every  sense. 

That  music's  dead,  the  earthly  bonds  are  riven, 
And  he  who  woke  the  chords  is  summoned  hence, 

"The  Gates  of  Hope"  to  which  his  thoughts  were 
given 

Have  flung  their  portals  wide  and  shown  the  path 
to  Heaven! 

Patron  of  learning!     Champion  of  the  poor! 

These  are  the  titles  that  he  nobly  gained, 
These  are  the  honours  that  will  still  endure 

And  teach  mere  earthly  rank  to  be  disdained. 
The  empire  cannot  die  for  him  who  reigned 

By  sympathy  and  knowledge;  and  the  host 
That  will  perpetuate  a  name  unstained, 

Poor,  seeking  wisdom,  these  shall  be  our  boast, 

He  loved  them — let  them  comfort  her  who  mourns 
him  most! 

RE  HENRY. 

726 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Aaron  Levy  Green 

dimly  thro'  our  tears  we  see  his  Face, 
And  treasure  up  his  mem'ry  in  our  hearts, 
He  stood  in  front  a  model  Priest  and  Man, 
Grand  with  a  righteous  energy  for  good, 
Resplendent  with  a  love  for  all  his  kind ; 
But  most  of  all  his  great  love  for  his  Race. 
No  work  too  hard — no  cause  that  wanted  help, 
But  he  the  foremost  one  in  doing  good. 
Honesty  and  Manliness  and  Truth, 
A  trinity  of  virtues  joined  in  him. 
Too  soon  for  us — but  not  too  soon  for  him 
Has  he  been  taken  into  Rest  and  Life. 
For  that  perfection  which  he  sought  in  us 
He  now  has  found  in  Immortality. 
Dry  up  our  tears — our  God  hath  taken  him; 
He  knoweth  best.    And  when  we  go  to  rest 
May  it  be  found  his  bright  example  made 
Us  worthy  of  joining  him  on  High. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Baroness  de  Rothschild 

THOUGH  life  may  fade,  love  never  dies, 

And  all  but  love,  is  now  a  dream 
To  her,  who  in  her  long  sleep  lies 

Enwrapped  in  flowers,  and  love  supreme. 
What,  if  the  solemn  shadows  stir, 

To  sobbing  sighs  and  broken  prayer, 
Love  folds  its  mantle  over  her 
And  shields  her,  in  its  tender  care. 

Sadly  the  mystic  hours  of  night 

Flit  past,  still  undisturbed  by  these, 

Or  sudden  glow  of  morning  light 
Or  waking  birds,  or  waving  trees. 

7^7 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

She  lies,  who  heeds  not  days  and  hours,- 
The  sweet,  soft  bird  song,  nor  one  tear 

Beneath  her  canopy  of  flowers 
Indifferent  now  to  joy  and  fear. 

Earth's  voices  touch  her  not ;  nor  grieve 

Her  warm  and  generous  heart  with  pain, 
O  sorrowing  mourners,  we  believe 

That  God  shall  raise  her  up  again, 
That  in  some  half-guessed,  happier  sphere, 

Some  perfect  world,  but  part  confessed 
To  us  poor  mortals  weeping  here, 

"He  giveth  His  beloved  rest." 

And  so  Beloved,  we  part  from  you, 

We,  clothed  by  you,  and  housed  and  fed, 
Not  hopeless,  though  the  words  are  true, 

Our  blessed  Baroness  is  dead ! 
The  poor,  your  monument  shall  raise, 

Statelier  than  sculptured  tomb  above 
That  cherished  form,  of  love  and  praise 

Who  loved  her  God ;  whose  God  is  love. 

EMILY  MARION  HARRIS. 


Benjamin  Disraeli,  Earl  of  Beaconsfield 
Born,    December  21,    1804.     Died,   April    19,    1881. 

r\ISRAELI  dead!     The  trappings  of  late  days, 
:  The  Coronet,  the  Garter,  slip  aside, 

The  Peer's  emblazonment,  the  victor's  bays, 
The  pageantry  of  pride. 

Triumph's  mere  symbols,  badges  of  success, 

Who  weighs,  who  marks  the*m  now  when  all  is  said 

In  simple  words,  low-breathed  in  heaviness? — - 
Disraeli's  dead! 

728 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

So  all  have  known  him  from  that  earlier  time 

Of  meteoric  and  all-daring  youth, 
And  through  the  season  of  his  dazzling  prime; 

And  so  to-day,  in  sooth, 

'Tis  Benjamin   Disraeli  all  will  mourn, 
Nor  he  the  less  unfeignedly  whose  lance 

Against  that  shield  and  crest  full  oft  had  borne 
in  combat  a  outrance. 

The  fearless  fighter  and  the  flashing  wit 

Swordless  and  silent !     'Tis  a  thought  to  dim 

The  young  Spring  sunshine,  glancing,  as  was  fit, 
Bright  at  the  last  on  him. 

Who  knew  no  touch  of  winter  in  his  soul, 

Holding  the  Greek  gift  yet  in  mind  and  tongue, 

And  who,  though  faring  past  life's  common  goal, 
Loved  of  the  gods  died  young. 

Like  the  Enchantress  of  the  Nile,  unstaled 
By  custom  as  unchilled  by  creeping  years, 

A  world-compeller,  who  not  often  failed 
In  fight  with  his  few  peers. 

Success  incarnate,  self-inspired,  self-raised 

To  that  proud  height  whereat  youth's  fancy  aimed 

Whom  even  those  who  doubted  whilst  they  praised, 
Admired,  e'en  whilst  they  blamed. 

No  more  that  fine  invective's  flow  to  hear, 
That  buoyant  wisdom  or  that  biting  wit! 

To  see  him  and  his  one  sole  battle-peer 
Sharp  counter  hit  for  hit. 

No  more  to  picture  that  impassive  face, 
That  unbetraying  eye,  that  fadeless  curl, 

No  more  in  plot  or  policy  to  trace 
The  hand  of  the  great  Earl! 

729 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

How  strange  it  seems,  and  how  unwelcome!     Rest, 
Not  least  amidst  our  greatest!     Who  would  dare 

Deny  thee  place  and  splendour  with  the  best 
Who  breathed  our  English  air? 

Peace,  lasting  Peace  that  strife  no  more  shall  break, 
With  Honour  none  may  challenge,  crown  thee  now 

Wherever  laid,  nor  Faction's  self  would  shake 
The  laurel  from  thy  brow. 

And  England,  who  for  thy  quenched  brightness  grieves, 
Garlands  the  sword  no  more  to  leave  its  sheath, 

And,   turning  from   thy  simple  gravestone,   leaves 
A  tear  upon  the  wreath.  PUNCH. 

Peace — and  Honor 

LJUSHED  are  the  sounds  of  party-strife 
*  In  reverence  round  the  quiet  bed, 

As  all  the  busy  streams  of  Life 

Seem  stayed  beside  one  spirit  fled: 
And  England  sends  the  message  on, 
To  West  and  East, — a  great  man  gone. 

He,  but  a  few  short  days  ago 

Held  in  a  nation's  half-mistrust, 
Here  feared,  there  followed,  lying  low, 

Where  all  may  trample  on  his  dust, 
Lies  safe  with  laurels  round  his  brow, — 
His  party's  then,  his  England's  now. 

Strong  loves  he  conquered  on  his  way, 

Strong  as  the  enmities  he  woke, 
And  the  loosed  passions  of  the  day 

In  praise  and  anger  round  him  broke: 
Anger  and  Enmity's  o'erthrown, 
Death  has  for  sister,  Love  alone. 

Men  called  him  alien,  deemed  him  set 

On  dreams  of  empire  not  of  ours, 
And  prone  true  empire  to  forget 

730 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

In  the  long  clash  of  jarring  powers: 
But  England's  'scutcheon  blazons  still 
The  motto  of  his  life, — I  will. 

In  steady  purpose,  steady  toil, 

He  followed,  and  he  won,  the  prize, 

Which  through  the  Senate's  fierce  turmoil 
Lighted,  but  dazzled  not,  his  eyes: 

Nor  rank,  nor  fortune,  smoothed  the  course; 

He  dared,  and  conquered,  and  by  force. 

As  patient  as  the  great  should  be, 

As  watchful  as  the  purposed  are, 
He  marked  power's  ebbing,  flowing  sea, 

Now  sparkling  near,  now  murmuring  far, 
Till  with  strong  hand  he  grasped  the  helm, 
Through  storm  and  shine  to  steer  a  realm. 

And  when,  Life's  threescore  years  and  ten 

In  the  long  passage  overpast, 
He  yielded  up  the  helm  again, 

He  stood  as  steady  to  the  last: 
Not  Caesar's  robe,  when  Caesar  died, 

Was  folded  with  a  calmer  pride. 

I 

Calmly  he  gave  the  reins  of  State, 
As  first  he  held  them,  self-possessed; 

And  undismayed,  as  unelate, 

Turned  to  the  love  once  loved  the  best, 

And  wooed,  from  strife  of  tongues  apart, 

The  Muse  of  Story  to  his  heart. 

So,  England's  Minister,  good-night! 

Nor  praise,  nor  blame,  can  move  thee  now  ; 
Safe  from  the  fierce  and  public  light 

Which  beat  upon  thy  vessel's  prow: 
Thy  place  is  with  the  great  alone, 
Not  one's  nor  other's — England's  own. 

HERMAN  C.  MERIVALE. 

73i 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Leopold  Zunz 
r*O  thee  .o'er  whose  fresh-closed  tomb 

The  early  violets  and  snowdrops  bloom, 
With  these,  for  thee,  I  interweave 
This  votive  wreath  of  laurel  leaf. 

Thine  was  a  spirit  of  an  earlier  age, 
When  nobler  triumphs  graced  the  stage, 
Whereon  our  country's  heroes  moved, 
Who  gloriously  their  guerdon  proved. 

And  thine  it  was  to  flash  a  clearer  light 
O'er  the  tragedy  of  an  age-long  night, 
And  trace,  in  living  words,  the  story 
Of  Israel's  virile  thought  and  former  glory. 

Wakening  the  echoes  of  a  far-off  time, 
In  strains  scarce  less  sublime, 
Than  those  the  halls  of  Zion  rang, 
When,  o'er  the  land  her  minstrels  sang. 

Leaving  to  Israel  a  lingering  ray, 

A  promised  dawn  of  a  brighter  day, 

Long  o'er  thy  mem'ry  a  nation's  love  will  dwell, 

Nor  soon  nor  yet  will  bid  a  last  farewell. 

J.  F. 

' 

Moritz  Stein  Schneider 

|F  I  had  known,  dear  Master,  when  of  late 
*     I  held  thy  hand  within  my  own  to  say 

The  thousand  things  I'd  thought  of  on  the  way, 
But  sheer  forgot  for  very  awe  to  state; — 
If  I  had  known  the  summons  was  so  near 

And  that  thy  presence  never  more  would  grace 
The  little  room  that  was  the  trysting  place 

732 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

Of  every  scholar,  booklover  and  seer 

That  came  from  North,  from  South,  from  East,  and 

West 

To  call  himself  thy  pupil  and  be  blest — 
I  fain  would  have  besought  thee  to  allow 
My  unclean  lips  to  kiss  the  wizard  hand 
That  made  of  learning  such  a  wonderland, 
And  lost  its  matchless  cunning  only  now. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


Simeon  Singer 

,  weep  not  for  the  dead."     Alas!  how  weak 
The  solemn  call  to  dry  our  tear-dimmed  eyes, 
Or  stay  the  drops  which  aching  hearts  bespeak, 
While  hopeless  grief  in  fruitless  effort  tries 
To  scan  the  misty,  drear  and  sombre  space, 

Which  parts  us  from  the  presence  that  we  love, 
And  from  those  beaming  eyes  and  saintly  face 
And  lips  that  taught  the  way  to  realms  above. 

Strong,  manly  mind  to  gentle  heart  allied, 

Fit  partners  of  a  noble  soul  that  rose 
To  duty's  highest  calls,  though  sorely  tried, 

Scorning  the  urgent  temptings  of  repose  ; 
To  him  the  heart  of  Childhood  bounded  forth, 

And  feeble  Age  forgot  the  weight  of  years, 
And  Youth  reflected  back  the  genial  mirth, 

Which  turned  to  rippling  joy  their  sight  and  tears. 

Say  when  the  bugle  call  of  noble  Cause, 

Drew  forth  the  lightning  flashes  from  his  eye; 
In  God's  own  work  he  knew  not  rest  nor  pause, 

And  Faith  and  Mercy  made  his  pulses  fly, 
Nor  recked  he,  when  a  knightly  lance  he  broke 

In  chivalrous  tilt  for  Progress  and  for  Good, 
Though  in  the  clang  of  strife  he  felt  the  stroke, 

Yet  calm  and  strong  and  nobly  dumb  he  stood. 

733 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Too  soon,  alas!  did  Time  with  heavy  hand 

Lay  on  his  head  his  chaste  prophetic  snow, 
And  beckon  to  the  far-off  promised  land, 

The  goal  to  reach  with  weary  steps  and  slow, 
With  brave  and  dauntless  heart  he  nobly  strode 

Along  the  path  of  duty,  cheery,  bright, 
And  uncomplaining  bore  his  heavy  load, 

Till  summoned  out  of  darkness  into  light. 

Though  Earth  our  gentle  Mother  in  her  arms 

Benignly  folds  thee  in  thy  peaceful  sleep, 
And  in  her  strong  and  all-embracing  heart 

The  mortal  fabric  of  thy  frame  doth  keep, 
Freed  from  the  chains  that  bound  thy  earthly  love, 

Thy  spirit  joins  the  Choir  of  Saints  above, 
Whose  joyous  voices  calling,  welcome  thee, 

"An  Angel  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  he." 

JOHN  CHAPMAN. 


My  Fathers  Bible 

THERE  is  one  book,  far  dearer  than  the  rest, 
Upon  my  treasured  shelves:  It  is  not  bound 
In  costly  skin  or  vellum,  yet  profound 
Is  the  esteem  and  rev'rence  in  my  breast, 
As  I  now  lift  it  from  its  wonted  place, 
To  bless  it  first,  and  read  it  for  a  space: — 
It  gives  me  comfort  now,  though  time  was  when 
Fierce  anguish  smote  my  soul,  as,  all  unseen, 
The  crumbled  leaves  I  turned,  and  saw  between 
The  crystal  drops  of  sorrow  once  again 
Which  wrung  my  blessed  father's  spirit  then ; — 

But  now  I  read  it,  ever  so  serene, 
And  close  the  Bible  gently,  when  I've  done, 
And  kiss  its  covers,  too,  when  I'm  alone. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


734 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


David  Kaufmann 

A  MID  the  murm'ring  din  and  seething  strife 
**        Of  all  the  world's  contending  victories, 

Thou,  modest  scholar,  writing  histories 
Hast  caused  Judaea's  past  to  pulse  with  life  ; 
Hast  conjured,  with  the  magic  of  thy  touch, 
Whose  quiver  had  the  thrill  of  the  sublime, 
The  soul  from  its  clay ;  and  hast  rescued  time 
From  its  only  foe:  oblivion's  clutch, 
Which  holds  enthralled  beneath  its  aged  crust 
The  teeming  mysteries  of  throbbing  thought 
So  many  tried  to  find,  yet  few  have  sought 
To  read  aright,  and  read  aright,  to  trust. 
Great  Poet-Thinker,  Critic  of  the  Past, 
Thine  is  a  memory  to  live,  to  last! 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


Gustav  Gottheil 

OD  healed  him  while  he  slept, 

And  took  His  shepherd  home, 
And  many  thousand  tender  hands 
Now  bear  him  to  the  tomb. 

His  life  was  crowded  with  the  deeds 

Which  crown  his  calm  repose, 
Upon  his  gleaming  coat  of  arms, 

No   guilty  glory  glows. 

Dream  on,  O  Prince  in  Israel,  dream, 

In  thy  celestial  home, 
While  many  thousand  loyal  friends 

Chant  Kaddish  at  the  tomb. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


735 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Sonnet* 
To  SOLOMON  SCHECHTER 

HTHY  spirit,  Sage,  is  ever  on  the  wing, 
*•     And,  soaring  midway  'twixt  the  earth  and  sky, 

Those  higher  kindred  of  thy  soul  draw  nigh 
To  whom  thy  lofty  thoughts,  transfigured,  cling, 
From  wrinkled  parchment  and  decaying  script, 

Thou  lurest  long-lost  Wisdom  fragmentwise, 

Rejoicing  and  enlightening  the  eyes. 
There's  none  in  modern  Jewry,  thus  equipped, 
To  teach  the  truth  and  spread  abroad  The  Law, 

And  with  the  peal  of  prophecy  intone 

How  Beauty  shines  in  Holiness  alone, 
And  that  to  hold  the  Spirit  well  in  awe 

The  letter  must  be  guarded,  not  forsook, 

Ye  Race  of  Priests,  Ye  People  of  the  Book! 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


Solomon  Schechter 

QO*-\ 

A  NOTHER  Moses  of  our  race 
^^  Was  called  to  Heaven's  holy  place, 
The  Paradise  where  be  the  few 
Who  nearer  Heaven  daily  grew, 
Until  on  Pisgah  heights  of  lore 
They  saw  the  Heavens'  Promised  Shore, 
And  God  with  kisses  bade  them  be 
Their  living  immortality. 
O  master,  with  the  wizard's  spell, 
A  sun  of  lore  in  your  dying  fell. 
In  error's  night  our  pillar  of  light 
Our  Torah  lost  its  bravest  knight. 
A  godly  Heine  whose  smile  of  grace 
Made  sham  and  folly  hide  their  face. 
A  lion  of  learning,  you 

*  Suggested  by  Professor  Schechter's  luminous  epistle  on  "Spiritual 
Religion  "  in  the  Jewish  Chronicle,  November  30,  1899. 

736 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


The  soul  of  Judaism  knew; 

The  Torah  was  your  song  and  wing, 

O'er  all  the  scholars  you  were  king. 

Columbus  of  Ben  Sira's  book 

An  X-ray  was  your  every  look. 

A  character  unique  you  were, 

The  Torah's  great  interpreter. 

A  Titan  lost  the  world,  a  man, 

Who  was  a  great  American. 

Embodiment  of  wisdom,  he 

Loved  law  no  less  than  liberty. 

God  took  a  Lincoln  mould  alit 

With  gleams  of  humor  and  of  wit 

With  light  of  genius  and  of  art, 

And  made  a  scholar  with  a  heart. 

And  lo,  the  seer  Schechter  smiled, 

His  mind  a  lion,  his  heart  a  child. 

O  Gaon  of  our  day,  your  lore, 

The  testament  of  truth  it  bore; 

And  God,  not  self,  you  did  adore. 

Through  life  and  lore  our  God  you  saw; 

Your  life,  the  tablet  of  His  law. 

In  Torah  you  have  left  your  heart, 

An  ark  of  God  from  us  you  part. 

You  found  the  gems  of  Torah,  we 

Will  make  them  our  Treasury. 

From  many  a  realm  some  prize  you  brought, 

The  jeweled  word,  the  diamond  thought, 

But  oh!  a  holier  land  you  trod, 

You  found  the  manuscript  of  God. 

ALTER  ABELSON. 

Emma  Lazarus 

"W7HEN  on  thy  bed  of  pain  thou  layest  low 

Daily  we  saw  thy  body  fade  away, 
Nor  could  the  love  wherewith  we  loved  thee  stay 
For  one  dear  hour  the  flesh  borne  down  by  woe; 
But  as  the  mortal  sank,  with  what  white  glow 

737 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Flamed  the  eternal  spirit,  night  and  day; 

Untouched,  unwasted,  though  the  crumbling  clay 
Lay  wrecked  and  ruined !     Ah,  is  it  not  so, 
Dear  poet-comrade,  who  from  sight  hast  gone; 

Is  it  not  so  the  spirit  hath  a  life 
Death  may  not  conquer?     But,  O  dauntless  one! 

Still  must  we  sorrow.  Heavy  is  the  strife 
And  thou  not  with  us;  thou  of  the  old  race 
That  with  Jehovah  parleyed,  face  to  face. 

RICHARD  WATSON  GILDER. 


r\EAR  bard  and  prophet,  that  thy  rest  is  deep, 

^       Thanks  be  to  God !     Not  now  on  thy  heart  falls 

Rumor   intolerable.     Sleep,   O  sleep! 

See  not  the  blood  of  Israel  that  crawls 
Warm  yet,  into  the  moon  and  night ;  that  cries 

Even  as  of  old,  till  all  the  world  stands  still 
At  rapine  that  even  to  Israel's  agonies 

Seems  strange  and  monstrous,  a  mad  dream  of  ill. 
Thou  sleepest!     Yea,  but  as  in  grief  we  said: — 

There  is  a  spiritual  life  unconquerable. 
So,  bard  of  the  ancient  people,  though  being  dead 

Thou  speakest  and  thy  voice  we  love  full  well. 
Never  thy  holy  memory  forsakes  us; 
Thy  spirit  is  the  trumpet  that  awakes  us! 

RICHARD  WATSON  GILDER. 


Under  No  Skies  But  Ours 
EMMA  LAZARUS 

I 

T  TNDER  no  skies  but  ours,  her  grave  be  made! 
V^      'Neath    blue    unblurred    and    clear    stars    never 

shamed 
'Tis  meet  that  she  be  laid ! 

Just  Heaven  accorded  that  sad  right  we  claimed: 

738 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

The  Old  World  gave  its  guest 

Back  to  the  loving  West. 

The  city  of  her  birth,  which  exiles  hail 

From  that  broad-breasted  harbor,  known  so  long, 
Forever  heaving  in  its  rippled  mail 
Of  steely  waves,  to  clasp  the  island-seat 
Of  Freedom — whom  she  sang  with  voice  so  sweet, 

With  voice  so  sweet  and  strong! 
Not  in  the  shadow  of  the  shameful  Past, 
But  in  the  radiance  of  the  days  to  be, 

The  glory  of  the  brows  of  Liberty. 
The  singer  of  that  splendor  sleeps  at  last; 
Proud  Spring,  shall  heap  her  painless  rest  with  flowers 
Under  no  skies  but  ours! 

II 

On  the  far  azure,  eastern  hills,  where  prone, 

Like  slowly-crumbling  pillars,  memories  lie, 
Discrowned,  and  overthrown, 
The  wrinkled  Orient  calls  upon  her  sons, 

Uncomforted,  with   an  unceasing  cry: 
"Come,  come,  ye  wandering  ones! 
A  nation's  hearth-stone  waits  the  sacred  fire!" 
But,  quenching  their  desire, 
"Mother,  not  yet,"  they  sigh, 
"Not  yet;  the  silver  trumpets  have  not  blown, 

Nor  eastward  moves  in  heaven  the  column-cloud. 
Haply,  with  faint  host  strengthened,  by-and-by, 

With  psalms,  with  shawns,  with  ring  of  cymbals  loud 
Shall  Israel  return  unto  his  own; 
Not  yet — alas,  not  yet! 
To-day  his  face  is  set 
Westward:  for  there  the  Foster  mother  stands, 

Young,    forceful,   mild,    with    frank,    front-beaming 

light, 

And  large,  warm-welcoming  hands. 
Lo,  in  her  spacious  lands 

The  arm  of  Israel  shall  gather  might!" 

739 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

III 

This  was  her  home — aye,  hers,  whose  noble  pride 

Had  that  dear  name  denied 

To  soil  whereon  her  brothers  suffered  wrong: 

Yet  of  another  country  she  was  free, — 

The  golden  vales,  the  fields  of  Arcady, 
The  woods  that  whispered,  and  the  streams  of  song! 
Among  the  lucent  marbles  of  the  Greek 
'Twas  hers  to  pass,  and  charm  grand  lips  to  speak, 
But  as  in  siren  palace  reared  apart, 

One  born  to  lead  his  people  through  the  sea, 
Saw  the  Egyptian  smite,  and  felt  the  smart 
Quickening  the  fire-seed  in  his  Hebrew  heart 

To  burst  in  blaze — so  she! 
Yea,  in  that  bitterest  year 

When  Russia  spurned  the  Jew, 

She,  too,  ah,  from  a  lovelier  land  she,  too, 
Went  forth,  and  left,  for  service  more  austere, 
Pure  Beauty  smiling  in  the  fair  white  fane 
(The  strong  sweet  voice  we  nevermore  shall  hear) 
Thrilled  sword-like  through  the  ear 
Of  whoso  slept,  though  sleep  were  dull  as  death! 

O  strange,  O  holiest  hour 

Of  rapture  and  of  power, 

When  a  great  soul  is  girded  with  a  Cause! 

Finding  at  length,  led  on  by  deep  hid  laws, 
That  Deed  to  do,  wherefore  God  lent  His  breath, 
O  Awful  Hour  more  strange, 
Of  chill  surprise  and  change, 
Command  most  stern  that  bids  the  doer  pause 
Ere  yet  that  Deed  is  done, 
The  trump  be  silent,  ere  the  field  is  won ! 

How  green,  in  coming  years, 
For  her  the  glistening  victor-palm  had  sprung! 
Woe  for  the  words  unsaid,  the  song  unsung! 

Speech  falters  into  tears 

Tears — but  such  tears  as  fed  the  vital  root 
Of  Hope,  and  haste  the  time  of  bloom  and  leaf. 
None  shall  forbid  high  Grief: 

740 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


But  doubt  she  had  forbidden,  who  deeply  know 
The  vigor  of  that  stem  whence  life  she  drew, 
The  sure  succession,  the  unfailing  fruit! 

TV 

O  faithful  Israel,  that  keep'st  aflame 

The  Lamp  perpetual  with  remembrance  due 
Of  the  undying  deed!    Be  this  her  fame: 
The  source  of  steadfast  purpose,  tireless  borne. 
If,  in  some  dazzling  morn 
That  breaks  on  e'en  the  blank  eyes  of  the  blind, 

The  flag  of  Judah  shall  indeed  unfurl, 
The  hero-Ezra  on  his  arm  shall  bind 
No  lordlier  hand,  no  subtler  amulet 

Than  her  linkek  songs  of  pearl, 
And  rubies  passion-red  as  with  rare  life-blood  wet! 
We,  too,  we,  too,  have  claim 
On  this  uniting  name! 

We  of  the  West  may  bow  where  Israel  weeps. 
'Beneath  our  clear  stars,  never  veiled  in  shame      <Tir-| 

She  woke  to  life,  and  now,  alas,  she  sleeps,  . ' l  n[ 
(Proud  May-time  heap  her  painless  rest  with  flowers!) 
Under  no  skies  but  ours! 

HELEN  GRAY  CONE. 


more  a  singing  soul's  most  airy  vessel 
Hath  on  its  journey  sped  ; 
Once  more  we  linger  by  the  shadowy  waters, 
Mourning  a  spirit  fled. 

Yet,  lingering  here,  we  catch  the  tender  vision 

Of  Beauty,  throned  above, 
As  fondly  welcoming  a  spirit  laden 

With  beauty  and  with  love; 

For  she  who  left  us  hath  with  love  deep  freighted 

Her  spirit's  ample  powers — 
She  filled  her  life,  her  very  name  with  beauty.     • 

Like  a  rare  urn  with  flowers. 

ALLAN  EASTMAN  CROSS. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A    RARE,  sweet  daughter  of  a  wondrous  race 
**     She  flamed  with  all  the  old-time  prophet's  fire, 

And  woke  again  the  echoes  of  that  lyre 
That  from  the  haunted  Saul  the  clouds  could  chase, 
In  her  own  might  the  heart  of  Miriam  trace, 

Or  Deborah,  aroused  to  holy  ire 

When  her  loved  people  did  her  soul  inspire; 
Yet  lacked  she  nothing  of  a  woman's  grace. 
Would  she  had  lived  to  right  her  people's  wrongs, 

To  thrill  and  lift  them,  with  her  grand  soul's  might, 
And  make  them  worthy  of  her  noble  thought! 
But  let  her  Israel  still  sing  her  songs, 

And  in  her  counsels  learn  to  find  delight, 
And  not  in  vain  her  suffering  soul  has  wrought. 

MINOT  JUDSON  SAVAGE. 


J7IRE  from  high,  holy  heaven  down-drawn, 
•*•     By  her  strong  soul  and  true, 
Flashed  over  Israel,  a  sudden  dawn 

With  star-song  wild  and  new, 
A  moment  silent  in  her  fair,  firm  hand 

The  harp  of  David  lay, 
Then  gulfs  of  hopeless,  sorrowing  years  were  spanned 

When  she  began  to  play, 
Hers  was  a  woman's  song,  whose  martial  force 

All  preludes  down-hurled — 
Razed  every  wall  that  barred  its  noble  course 

Around  the  hindering  world. 
On  far  blood-hallowed  hills  the  trampled  dust 

Of  patriarch  sires  did  glow, 
And  matchless  swords,  long  buried  in  their  rust, 

Leaped  eager  for  the  blow. 
In  their  lone  tombs  the  Hebrew  heroes  heard, 

'The  prophets  felt  and  knew. 
How  once  again  divinest  courage  stirred 

The  genius  of  the  Jew. 

742 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

A  Maccabean  influence  thrilled  the  sky, 

And  shone  from  star  and  sun, 
The  banner  of  old  days  was  passing  by 

With  toph  and  clarion! 

JAMES  MAURICE  THOMPSON. 


/^OULDST  thou  have  lived  to  share  with  us  this 
^        hour 

Of  grateful  praise, 
When  minds  of  men  are  turned  towards  the  far 

Columbus  days, 
Then  would  thy  lyre  spell  out  thy  wond'rous  thoughts 

In  sweetest  strain. 
Thy  soul  would  sing  to  us  a  touching  song 

Of  fitful  Spain ; 
Of  monarchs  that  thrust  forth  a  helpless  band 

Into  the  night; 
Of  monarchs  that  bade  speed  to  him  who  found 

This  land  of  light. 
Ah !  now  we  miss  thee.     More  and  more  to-day 

We  wish  thee  here, 
Thy  words  are  lacking,  and  the  many  moods 

That  brought  us  cheer. 
Where  are  the  bright  inspiring  tones  of  love 

That  gave  us  rest; 
And  taught  us  by  their  ever-charmed  lines 

That  thou  wert  blest? 

Gone!  Gone!  'Tis  true,  but  not  without  their  good 

In  lustre  shed, 
Through  hearts  whose  flames  were  kindled  by  the  light 

Of  one  since  dead. 

HENRY  COHEN. 


743 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Joseph  Joachim 

DELOV'D  of  all  to  whom  the  muse  is  dear, 

*~*       Who  hid  her  spirit  of  rapture  from  the  Greek 
Whereby  our  art  excelleth  the  antique, 

Perfecting  formal  beauty  to  the  ear: 

Thou  hast  been  in  England  many  a  year 
The  interpreter  who  left  us  nought  to  seek, 
Making  Beethoven's  inmost  passion  speak, 

Bringing  the  soul  of  great  Sebastian  near. 

Their  music  liveth  ever  and  'tis  just 

That  thou  good  Joachim  so  high  thy  skill 
Rank  (as  thou  shalt  upon  the  heavenly  hill) 

Laurel'd  with  them,  for  thy  ennobling  trust 
Remembered  when  thy  loving  hand  is  still 

And  every  ear  that  heard  thee  stopt  with  dust. 

ROBERT  BRIDGES. 


Frederic  David  Mocatta 

what  avail  in  low  estate  to  weep, 

To  take  our  harps  from  off  the  willow  trees  ? 
Will  harp  or  tablet  wake  him  from  his  sleep? 

Our  tears  run  down — of  what  avail  are  these? 
For  him,  the  scholar's  hope,  the  poor  man's  need, 

Who  knew  the  art  to  benefit  unknown, 
Who  cast  at  eve  and  morn  the  holy  seed 

On  rugged  valleys  neither  eared  nor  sown. 
Though  many  a  tongue  a  ready  writer's  pen, 

Of  many  kindnesses  might  tell  the  tale, 
Of  what  avail  these  words  of  many  men 

Or  dirge,  or  episode — of  what  avail? 
Be  strong  and  of  good  courage !  freed  from  ill, 

Fast  in  life's  bundle  thy  sweet  soul  is  tied, 
Sleep !  loosed  from  this  low  world  by  God's  own  will. 

And  wake !  with  God's  own  likeness,  satisfied ! 

JAMES  MEW. 

744 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Mrs.  Ellis  A.  Franklin 

IT  was  not  granted  to  her  she  should  lead 

A  mighty  cause  or  grace  a  learned  throng, 

The  humbler  task  was  hers;  she  lived  among 
Her  children  and  she  taught  them  to  succeed 
To  her  inheritance  of  faith  and  deed. 

And  what  she  wrought,  unwitting  of  all  wrong, 

Unwitting  of  her  worth,  she  let  belong 
To  others,  and  to  others  left  the  meed. 
The  tower  to  its  eminence  on  high 

Would  not  have  risen  at  the  author's  will 
Alone ;  those  who  builded  it  may  die, 

The  name  of  the  designer  never  will. 
So  those  whose  fame  and  work  no  records  hold 
Inspire  the  deeds  that  live  for  time  untold. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Oscar  Cohen 

,  that  death  should  lay  thee  low, 

With   thy  fame  not  zenith  high! — 
Ah,  the  pity  that  the  foe 

Should  have  thought  thee  ripe  to  die! 
&  v 

Like  the  greatest  one  of  old- 
Moses,  strong  of  heart  and  hand — 

Thou  hast  led  thy  wandering  fold 
Onward  to  the  promised  land. 

Stranger  to  thy  creed  and  race, 

Alien  to  the  older  Word, 
Yet  I  loved  thee!     On  thy  face 

Shone  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

H.  B.  GAYFER. 


745 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Leo  N.  Levi 

f    ET  no  lament  break  forth  but  rather  sing 

*-^     Hosannas  to  the  Everlasting  King; 

Let  Hallelujahs  everywhere   resound 

And  animate  the  newly  hallowed  ground 

Where  lovingly  a  garland  we  may  place 

To  symbolize  the  homage  of  his  race. 

No  wringing  hands,  nor  shrill-voiced  grief  shall  lift 

Our  hero  from  his  consecrated  crypt; — 

If  ye  would  truly  honor  him,  who  bore 

The  ensign  of  the  fathers  to  the  fore, 

Then  follow  on,  and  raise  the  battle-flag, 

And  hasten  on  each  footstep  that  would  lag. 

Unfold  forsooth  the  ancient  standard,  and 

Obey  our  leader's  clarion-toned  command. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


Esther  J.  Ruskay 

VJT/E  meet  to-day  to  call  upon  thy  name, 

With  wistful  eyes  to  contemplate  and'  trace 
Each  feature  of  thy  well-remembered  face; 
And  as  we  light  the  faint  memorial  flame 
To  hear  above  the  cadence  of  our  prayer 
The  brush  of  wings  across  the  tranquil  air, 
As  though  thy  radiant  spirit  rustled  there; — 
To  see  thee  once  again,  ere  yet  we  go 

Our  devious  ways,  unmindful  of  the  gloom, 
And  know  that  though  we  robed  thee  for  the  tomb 
Thou  livest  yet,  transfigured  and  aglow, 
In  far-off  fields  of  fragrant  asphodel, 
Where  seraphs  and  thy  starry  kindred  dwell — 
Revered  and  loved  and  mourned  in  Israel. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


746 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Joseph  Mayor  Asher 
F)EEP  be  thy  sleep,  brave  Prophet-Priest  of  God! 

Thy  spirit-wars  are  waged,  and  tranquil  now — 

The  laurel  of  our  homage  on  thy  brow — 
Thou  dreamest;  whilst  we  whisper  overawed, 

And  name  thee  in  our  hearts,  and  deep  and  low 

Say  Kaddish  o'er  thy  cerements  of  snow. 
Thine  be  the  peace  of  God,  great,  restless  heart! 

No  more  shall  wound  thee  Israel's  native  woe; 

No  more  shall  strive  against  thee  friend  or  foe; 
Thou  art  our  stern-eyed  seer — the  counterpart 
Of  Amos  and  Elijah,  blent  in  one. 

Our  kindred  sense  perceives  thee,  and  we  trace 

The  Saintliness  of  Ages  on  thy  face, 
Now  that  thy  work  is  gloriously  done. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 

Louis  Loeb 
'"THINE  was  a  poet's  soul ;  thine  was  a  heart 

Where    love    and    friendship,    truth    and    right 
abode. 

Hebraic  rhapsody  and  Grecian  ode 
Surged  in  thy  blood.     Nature  stood  not  apart; 

With  gracious  smile  she  wedded  thee  to  Art; 
The  seeing  eye,  the  wizard  touch  bestowed, 
Into  thy  brain  her  forms  and  colors  flowed, 

Transfixed  by  Inspiration's  flaming  dart. 

Sweet  were  the  idylls  by  the  genius  wooed: 

The  misty  dawn,  bright  morning,  radiant  noon, 
The  joyous  life,  the  forests'  solitude, — 

And   peaceful   reverie.     Thine  now  the  boon 

Of  bearing  a  full  sheaf,  through  struggles  rude, 

Into  the  twilight's  vale, — but  all  too  soon. 

Louis  MARSHALL. 


747 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Josef  Israels 

\YfHEN  the  fjsher-folk  of  the  Netherland  coast 

On  perilous  cruises  sped, 
When  the  howling  wind  and  the  swirling  foam 

A  message  of  danger  read — 
There  was  one  to  measure  the  dread  of  the  sea 

For  the  helpless  women  then, 
Whose  bread  was  found  on  the  crest  of  the  wave 

By  the  sturdy  fishermen. 

There  was  one  to  read  the  cry  of  the  heart 

As  it  sobbed  to  the  lonely  stone, 
On  the  mound  of  the  man  who  came  no  more, 

Who  left  her  all  alone — 
Alone  to  the  wind  and  the  sea  arid  the  storm 

That  had  claimed  their  murderous  fill; 
Alone  to  the  break  of  the  taunting  deep 

And  a  cottage  void  and  still. 

There  was  one  to  sound  the  plumb  of  despair 

In   the  wandering  martyr  race 
That  flies  with  the  wind  in  the  fearful  round 

Of  an  everlasting  chase ; 
To  note  the  patient  shoulder  shrug, 

The  pathos  of  mind  and  eye, 
In  the  form  of  the  man  with  the  mortal  wounds, 

Who  yet  disdained  to  die. 

Be  good  to  the  soul  of  the  master,  Lord, 

Who  limned  with  a  deathless  hand, 
The  woes  of  the  men  whose  mettle  you  try — 

The  waifs  of  the  sea  and  the  land. 
Be  good  to  his  artist  soul,  O  Lord, 

For  he  ate  of  the  bread  of  tears 
And  drank  from  the  bitter  cup  of  those 

Who  count  the  leaden  years. 

ELIAS  LIEBERMAN. 

748 


H 


THE    MODERN   PERIOD 

Phedre 

To  SARAH  BERNHARDT 

OW  vain  and  dull  this  common  world  must  seem 
To  such  a  One  as  thou,   who  should'st  have 

talked 

At  Florence  with  Mirandola,  or  walked 
Through  the  cool  olives  of  the  Academe  ; 
Thou  should'st  have  gathered  reeds  from  a  green  stream 
For  Goat-foot  Pan's  shrill  piping,  and  have  played 
With  the  white  girls  in  that  Phneacian  glade 
Where  grave  Odysseus  wakened  from  his  dream. 
Ah!  surely  once  some  urn  of  Attic  clay 

Held  thy  wan  dust,   and  thou  hast  come  again 
Back  to  this  common  world  so  dull  and  vain, 
For  thou  wert  weary  of  the  sunless  day, 
The  heavy  fields  of  scentless  asphodel, 
The  loveless  lips  with  which  men  kiss  in  Hell. 

OSCAR  WILDE. 

Mayer  Sulzberger 

PHE  muse,  that  first  lent  grace  to  gratitude, 

Voicing  a  rhythmic  prayer  from  thankful  hearts, 
Long  since,  when  passion  lisped  in  accents  crude, 

Nor  knew  its  handmaid  in  this  art  of  arts — 
Has  sounded  many  a  measure  through  the  days, 
In  stately  epic  and  in  roundelays. 

The  sack  of  cities,  the  brave  deeds  of  men, 
The  doom  of  Gods,  the  majesty  of  Kings; 

Strange  mysteries  beyond  our  earthly  ken, 
And  gentle  fancy's  sweet  imaginings — 

These  have  the  poets  woven  into  rhyme, 

To  make  the  past  throb  in  the  present  time. 

But  I  will  weave  the  laurel  of  my  rhyme 
To  crown  the  living  with  an  honor  due ; 

That  one,  who  fearless  in  the  trembling  time 

Stands  forth  his  people's  bulwark,  strong  and  true, 

749 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

May  know  the  muse  that  graced  the  ancient  days 
Has  not  forgotten  how  to  laud  and  praise. 

If  we  have  grown  into  such  gracious  worth, 

And  are  assembled  in  this  galaxy 
To  laud  the  work  to  which  these  years  gave  birth, 

Is  it  not  fitting  that  our  thoughts  shall  be 
Fashioned  to  form,  a  grateful  aureole 
For  him  whose  labor  led  us  to  this  goal? 

Let  mine  the  pride  and  pleasure  be  to-night 

To  sing  his  worth,  who  is  our  guide  and  friend  ; 

Who  lifts  a  beacon  by  whose  far-flung  light 
We  seem  to  see  the  lingering  anguish  end, 

Scholar  and  jurist,  need  I  speak  the  name 

That  sheds  on  all  of  us  its  lustrous  fame? 

How  shall  I  praise  him  fitly,  or  begin? — 
Lauding  endowments  of  th'  absorbing  mind, 

Where  all  things  ever  known  seem  gathered  in 
To  grow  into  rich  blessings  for  mankind, 

We  but  the  medal's  silver  side  behold — 

Though  fair  its  sheen,  the  other  side  is  gold. 

For  wedded  to  this  rare  mentality, 

There  beats  within  his  breast  a  Jewish  heart, 

That  pleads  and  throbs  in  ceaseless  sympathy 

To  right  the  wrong  'neath  which  his  brethren  smart, 

The  nameless  wrong,  to  which  he  gave  a  name — 

To  prove  a  Russian  envoy's  lasting  shame. 

Small  need,  in  truth,  to  bring  in  proud  array 
The  gracious  giving  of  his  bounteous  thought. 

Wherever  Jewish  learning  lights  our  way, 
His  hand  has  labored  and  his  genius  wrought. 

A  man  of  men !     'Twill  be  our  boast  we  knew 

And  held  in  love,  our  country's  foremost  Jew! 

FELIX  N.  GERSON. 


750 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Isaac  M.  Wise 

I— IE  came  into  the  Camp  of  Creed, 

The  Sword  of  Strength  within  his  hand, 
To  scatter  forth  the  bigot  breed 

And  smite  them  from  the  Promised  Land; 
To  hew  each  hoary  falsehood  down 

And  humble  ancient  arrogance, 
And  Error  fled  before  his  frown 

While  Truth  was  glad  beneath  his  glance. 

He  labored  where  his  Duty  led — 

Unflinching  stood   in  ev'ry  storm 
That  beat  about  his  fearless  head, 

And  thundered  forth  the  word  "Reform!" 
Earth's  farthest  nations  heard  his  voice 

Unto  the  utmost  purple  seas, 
And  all  found  reason  to  rejoice 

From  Polar  lands  to  Pyrenees. 

From  depths  of  long,  nigrescent  nights 

We  grasp  the  gospel  that  he  gave, 
A  message  come  from  starry  heights, 

Sent  forth  to  succor  and  to  save. 
If  Jew  or  Gentile  matters  not, 

For  rights  and  righteousness  of  each, 
Alike  was  wrought  his  toiling  thought, 

And  flamed  the  splendor  of  his  speech. 

Our  reaching  reason  gropes  along 

His  lofty  path  toward  the  light, 
Consoled  and  strengthened  by  the  song 

His  spirit  sends  us  from  his  flight. 
We  pray  our  searching  souls  may  find 

The  higher  things  for  which  he  stood — 
He  fought  for  freedom  of  the  mind 

And  for  a  broader  brotherhood. 

A  modern  Moses  sent  to  lead 
His  people  up  to  lustrous  lands, 

751 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

To  free  them  from  the  chains  of  creed 

And  superstition's  cruel  bands; 
To  guide  uncertain  feet  from  out 

The  darkened  paths  in  which  they  stray, 
Amid  the  desert  sands  of  doubt 

Unto  the  everlasting  day. 

He  told  not  of  God's  wrath,  but  taught 

The  lesson  of  His  love  instead, 
Till  narrow  tenets  came  to  naught 

And  fierce  fanaticism  fled. 
Who  knew  his  mental  majesty, 

Or  felt  his  nature's  gentle  grace, 
From  pious  prejudice  was  free 

Nor  nursed  a  senseless  hate  of  race. 

Yes,  he  was  great  as  men  are  great 

Who  scorn  the  cramping  lines  of  creed, 
Who  leave  us  still  our  earth's  estate 

Yet  fill  our  nature's  inmost  need. 
And  so  with  each  recurring  Spring, 

While  roses  blow  and  lilies  bloom, 
The  world  will  tender  tribute  bring 

To  lay  upon  his  hallowed  tomb. 

WALTER  HURT. 


("God's  finger  touched  him  and  he  slept!") 

A  BOVE  the  grief  of  Israel  soars  a  voice 
**•        Rebuking  him  who  weeps; 
Bidding  the  righteous  for  his  sake  rejoice, 
Who,  clothed  with  honor,  sleeps. 

The  victor,  bearing  home  unsullied  spoil, 

The  leader,  whom  God  led, 
Sleeps  'neath  the  laurels  of  completed  toil, 

That  crowns  his  hoary  head. 

752 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

As  Moses,  through  the  wilderness  of  old, 

His  people  led  aright, 
So  he,  from  worn-out  creeds  and   forms  grown  cold, 

Led  on  to  warmth  and  light. 

And  as  old  shackles  fell  from  Israel's  feet, 

And  broader  visions  rose, 
He  rested  not,  until  life's  task  complete 

Had  earned  Death's  sweet  repose. 

The  tired  hands  upon  his  breast  are  crossed, 

The  noble  heart  is  stilled ! 
Yet  think  not  that  God's  promise  shall  be  lost 

Which  he  so  long  fulfilled. 

His  mantle  shall  descend,  in  God's  own  time, 

Unto  some  worthy  one 
Who  portions  Israel  heritage  sublime 

From  sire  to  son. 

Our  leader  sleeps;  his  spirit  through  the  age 

Shall  live  uncramped  and  free; 
While  angels  wrote  his  name  upon  the  page 

Of  immortality !  IDA  GOLDSMITH  MORRIS. 


DEACE  and  remembrance!     All  the  great 

Of  Israel's  line  his  brothers  are — 
Leader  and  prophet,  priest  and  king; 
Aye,   and   the  bright  and  morning  star! 

With  force  and  fire  and  lofty  aim 
He  labored,  all  his  crowded  years: 

Order  from  chaos,  light  from  gloom 

He  brought,  and  banished  narrowing  fears. 

Nor  bronze  nor  marble  rear  to  him 

Whose    fame   transcends   their   poor   degree! 

His  deeds  are  noblest  monument; 
His  life  is  immortality! 

EDNA  DEAN  PROCTOR. 

753 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

A  FAR  the  reaches  of  our  land  one  day, 

•**•       Grim  tidings,  visitants  of  grief  confessed, 

As  wan  the  sun  full  orbed  had  died  away 

In  sky-slopes,  crimson  sheen  caressed — 

"Our  prince  is  gone  among  the  blessed." 

Entwined  the  olive  branch  with  cypress  bough, 
Alternate  tales  of  peace  and  woe  shall  tell 

Unlanguaged  glory  of  a  man  and  how 
God's  angels  kissed  him  ere  he  fell, 
And  sealed  his  eyes  in  slumber's  spell. 

Though   Israel's  heart-chords  wrung  with   anguished 

love, 
Now  fain  his  peerless  presence  would  reclaim; 

Yet,  free  from  weighing  durance  here ;  above 
To  high  emprise  he  still  doth  aim, 
Shrined  Nestor  dear  of  sainted  name. 

In  legend  heralded  a  school  on  high, 

With  seraphs'  welcome  waits  our  pilgrim  guest; 
There,  world-famed  patriarchs  his  footfall  nigh 

Now  echoing  hear  in  halls  of  rest, 

His  heart  to  theirs  in  love  is  prest. 

Grief's  floodgates  pour  their  unstemmed  tide  amain, 
Our  prayers  vying  throng  the  stricken  skies; 

Oh,  give  us  back  your  sunshine  once  again ! 
Undimmed  let  flash  once  more  your  eyes! 
Our  Father  hears  not,  will  not  rise ! 

The  flowers  leagued  have  taken  him  away, 

Wee  velvet  violets  and  smilax  fair; 
They  called  him  at  the  close  of  shadowed  day, 

With  amaranths  to  crown  him  where 

God's  garden  greens  for  e'er  and  e'er. 

Each  day  the  nursling  bud  shall  weep  for  him, 
Their  beaded  tears  the  lucent  dew  shall  be; 

754 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

When  sleep-locked  world  is  dawning  ashen  dim, 
Their  fragrance  benisons  to  thee 
Shall  sweet  ascend  as  off'rings  free. 

Come,  brethren,  Master  would  not  have  us  grieve, 
For  sacred  joy  he  loved  God's  labor  due; 

His  mansion  uninvaded  let  us  leave, 
With  zeal  his  mission  work  anew, 
Disciples,  Israel's  saving  dew! 

Nepenthe  mingles  with  the  last  farewell, 

Oft  sunbeams  braided  are  with  threads  of  rain; 

The  aftermath  of  grief  sweet  hope  doth  tell — 
"We'll  meet  again,  we'll  meet  again, 
In  life  that  knows  no  parting  pain." 

HARRY  WEISS. 

_ 


WHY  look  ye  to  the  dead?     Awake! 

O  Israel,  be  strong — 
Be  strong  to  make  the  truth  and  right 

Triumphant  over  wrong; 
Know  you,  O  Israel,  that  he — 
He  lives  and  is  anear  to  you; 

£ud  thu°'  f/^5  ^o11  , 
That  the  Master  Soul 

Will  guide  you  safely  through. 

No  need  had  he  for  dirges,  and 

No  need  for  bells  to  chime  ; 
For  heard  ye  not  the  night  winds  play 

A  funeral  march  sublime — 
A  requiem  on  nature's  harp, 
As  he  on  that  April  day — 

From  the  shadow-land 

To  the  golden  strand, 
In  spirit  winged  his  way. 

755 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

And  when  the  veil  was  rent  and  he 

Beheld  the  Father's  face, 
He  Hved,  and  in  Him  found  his  life, 

Saved  by  His  loving  grace; 
His  faith  to  glorious  sight  was  changed, 
As  he  stood  in  the  presence  of  Him, 

And  of  those  who  trod, 

As  the  sons  of  God, 
Thro'  the  shadows  dark  and  dim. 

And  saw  ye  not  the  glory  light 

That  stole  athwart  life's  sea? 
It- left  the  impression  on  him  of 

An  immortality; 

For  when  he  shed  life's  robe  of  clay, 
He  smiled  as  his  spirit  fled — 

And  it  lit  his  face 

With  a  tender  grace — 
The  cold  face  of  the  dead. 

And  nobler  far  than  granite  shaft, 

Which  storms  in  time  will  dim, 
The  Hebrew  Union  College  stands, 

A  monument  to  him; 

While  those  who  knew  him — loved  him,  say 
His  breast  held  a  lion's  heart; 

For  the  play  of  life, 

'Mid  its  din  and  strife, 
He  played  the  better  part. 

The  victor  he,  though  laurel  wreath 

Crowned  not  his  aged  head; 
Still  God's  reflected  glory  lit 

His  face  when  he  was  dead. 
And  better  that  than  all  the  crowns, 
The  world  at  one's  feet  might  lay — 

As  one  takes  his  flight, 

'Mid  the  shadow-light, 
To  find  eternal  day. 

ALBERT  FRANK  HOFFMANN. 

756 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 


Ida  Straus 

\Y/E  wonder  at,  we  praise  your  life, 
™     For  crowning  love  with  name  of  wife, 
Whose  love  was  young  in  sunset-time, 
As  in  the  blush  of  morning's  prime. 
We  cry:     "Oh,  what  a  miracle  she!" 
And  thus  confess  how  small  are  we! 
Can  rose  be  otherwise  than  rose? 
Can  light  be  less  than  light?     Can  those 
Who  love  be  less  than  love?     So  you 
To  your  angel  spirit  were  but  true. 
They  dreamt  she  died?     O,  can  it  be, 
Since  love  alone's  immortality, 
And  love  doth  live  through  such  as  she? 
You  live  in  death.     'Tis  we  are  dead, 
In  life.     For  you  to  love  were  wed. 
Your  love  was  gold  and  ours  dross. 
The  sea  alone  can  sigh  our  loss 
Of  you.     The  morning  stars  alone 
Can  sing  your  fame  to  years  unflown. 
For  all  we  say  but  tells  anew 
How  small  are  we;  how  great  are  you! 

ALTER  ABELSON. 


CHE  gladly  shared  his  cup  of  death.     She  sought 
^  And  chose  his  stainless  shroud  of  icy  sea, 

Her  heart  was  his,  to  sink  with  him  her  plea, 
When  strained  to  seek  the  shore.     Her  only  thought, 
To  hold  his  hand  and  help  him  die.     She  caught 

His  courage,  and  felt  the  rhapsody 

Of  joining  him  in  death's  wild  jubilee 
Beneath  the  roar  of  sea  with  soul  unwrought. 
She  was  the  perfect  wife  that  loved  her  mate, 
Content  to  crown  her  life  with  mutual  fate. 
She  clung  to  him,  her  soul  of  soul,  her  light; 
Without  him  all  were  black  as  starless  night. 

757 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

To-day  she  sleeps  with  him  in   Neptune's  grave, 
Because  she  loved  him  only,  and  was  brave. 

BERNARD  GRUENSTEIN. 


A  tribute  to  the  women  who  went  down  to  death 
with  their  husbands — suggested  by  Mrs.  Isidor  Straus's 
devotion. 

A  S  side  by  side  they  traveled  through  the  years 

**       Strong  in  a  love  that  daily  grew  in  power, 
So  they  together  faced  their  final  hour 

With  hearts  whose  steadfast  courage  conquered  fears; 

Eager  for  life,  yet  dauntless  volunteers 

Among  the  ranks  of  death.     So  great  deeds  flower 
From  scenes  of  tragedy.     So  great  souls  tower 

Above  the  grave  and  bid  us  dry  our  tears ! 

And  womanhood  throughout  the  world  must  thrill 

Before  the  glory  of  that  sacrifice 
To  love  and  loyalty.     The  ready  will 

That  chose  to  die  rather  than  pay  the  price 
For  life,  and  thus  upon  its  latest  breath 
Proved  to  mankind  love's  triumph  over  death! 

ANNE  P.  L.  FIELD. 


. 

"Loving  and  Loyal  were  they  in  their  life — 

And  in  their  death,  they  were  not  divided." 

David's  lament  over  Saul  and  Jonathan. 

CANNOT  leave  thee,  husband ;  in  thine  arm 

Enfolded,  I  am  safe  from  all  alarm. 

If  God  hath  willed  that  we  should  pass,  this  night, 

Through  the  dark  waters  to  Eternal  Light, 

O  let  us  thank  Him  with  our  latest  breath 

For  welded  life  and  undivided  death. 

SOLOMON  SOLIS  COHEN. 

758 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

PARTING 

DELOVED,  you  must  go — ask  not  to  stay, 

*-^       You  are  a  mother  and  your  duties  call ; 
And  we,  who  have  so  long  been  all  in  all, 

Must  put  the  human  side  of  life  away. 

For  one  brief  moment  let  us  stand  and  pray, 
Sealed  in  the  thought  that  whatso'er  befall 
We,  who  have  known  the  freedom  and  the  thrall, 

Of  a  great  love,  in  death  shall  feel  its  sway — 

You,  who  must  live,  because  of  his  dear  need, 
You  are  the  one  to  bear  the  harder  part: — 

Nay,  do  not  cling — 'tis  time  to  say  good-by, 
Think  of  me  then  but  as  a  spirit  freed — 
Flesh  of  my  Flesh,  and  Heart  of  my  own  Heart, 

The  love  we  knew  has  made  me  strong  to  die. 

TOGETHER 

T  1  1 

I  cannot  leave  you,  ask  me  not  to  go, 
Love  of  my  youth  and  all  my  older  years; 
We,  who  have  met  together  smiles  or  tears, 
Feeling  that  each  did  but  make  closer  grow 
The  union  of  our  hearts — Ah  say  not  so 

That  Death  shall  find  us  separate.    All  my  fears 
Are  but  to  lose  you.     Life  itself  appears 
A  trifling  thing — But  one  great  truth  I  know, 
When  heart  to  .heart  has  been  so  closely  knit 
That  Flesh  has  been  one  Flesh  and  Soul  one  Soul, 
Life  is  not  life  if  they  are  rent  apart  — 
And  death  unsevered  is  more  exquisite. 
As  we,  who  have  known  much,  shall  read  the  whole 
Of  Life's  great  secret  on  each  other's  heart! 

CORINNE  ROOSEVELT  ROBINSON. 

Julia  Richman 

/^OME  all  who  serve  the  city,  all  who  serve 

The  glorious  golden  city  of  our  dream, 
With  true  heart-service  that  can  never  swerve, 
How  faint  soe'er  the  strength  or  far  the  gleam — 

759 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Come  sorrow  proudly  for  our  comrade  passed 

Into  the  silence:  one  who  served  indeed 
In  all  things,  even  unto  the  least  and  last, 

Spending  herself  to  meet  the  moment's  need. 
Share  memories  of  that  strong,  illumined  face, 

Keen  speech,  and  courage  springing  to  the  test, 
And  all  the  fervor  of  the  ancient  race 

That  finds  its  longed-for  East  in  this  young  West. 
Be  this  the  sum,  the  last  word  best  of  all: 

She  built  her  life  into  the  city  wall. 

HELEN  GRAY  CONE. 


Myer  Davis 

C*AREWELL!  the  word  is  idle,  not  in  vain 
^        He  lived  his  righteous  life,  he  must  farewell 
Who  lived  for  others'  good.     What  man  may  tell 
The  rich  fruits  of  his  toil,  in  sun  and  rain? 
What  sheaves  were  garnered  from  the  sacred  grain 
Sown  by  his  gracious  lips,  ere  on  their  spell 
The  lasting  silence  lingering  slowly  fell 
Down,  like  a  wall  between  us?     Yet  again, 
Good  night!  good-bye!     There  is  a  time  to  weep 
For  us,  till  the  morn  break  and  the  shadows  fly, 
Which  long  stretched  out  across  the  evening  creep 
Hour  after  hour  until  the  cock's  first  cry; 
O!  holy  herald  of  the  day-springs  leap 
Out  of  the  dying  dark,  good  night,  good-bye. 

ISAAC   LAZAROWICH, 


Simon   Wolf 

measure  of  a  worthy  man 
Is  not  the  count  of  days  or  years — 
That  life  is  noblest  that  doth  plan 
Assuagement  of  a  people's  tears. 


THE    MODERN    PERIOD 

His  people's  tears  he  did  allay — 

O'er  rugged  steeps  his  hands  were  spread 

To  help  his  brethren  find  a  way 
From  the  dark  labyrinth  of  dread. 

In  the  brave  heart — the  lofty  mind — 

The  dauntless  spirit  that  outran 
The  body's  strength,  the  world  shall  find 

The  measure  of  a  worthy  man! 

FELIX  N.  GERSON. 


To  Simon  Wolf 

p\EAR  brother,  brave  and  battle-scarred  and  bold, 
*-^       Whose  kindling  zeal  my  chastened  spirit  drew, 

And  marshals  now  a  myriad  retinue 

To  pave  a  path  of  safety  for  the  Jew — 
In  striving  youthful  and  in  service  old, 

Alert,  unresting,  dominant  and  proud, 

Forgetting  not  the  fealty  you  vowed 
In  common  with  the  Fathers,  at  the  Mount, 

Where  God  revealed  His  Covenant  in  flame — 

Yours  is  a  great,  imperishable  name! 

Who  else  an  equal  heritage  can  claim, 
Or  render  such  illustrious  account! 

And  yet  instead  of  coveting,  we  plead 

A  portion  of  your  spirit  for  our  need. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


To  Simon  Wolf  on  His  Eightieth  Birthday 

V/OU  need  no  meed  of  praise  in  song  or  prose, 
A      No  thing  of  bronze  or  marble  to  record 

How  well  you  served  the  people  and  the  Lord 
Long  ere  .your  head  was  hallowed  by  the  snows 
Of  four-score  years.     No  respite  nor  repose 

Your  right  hand  knew  which  flashed  the  spirit  sword 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Of  battle  for  the  Maccabean  host 

Against  the  foe  that  dared  with  vandal  steel 
Profane  the  shrine.     Your  Mattathias  zeal 
Still  sways  us  by  its  intimate  appeal. 
Yours  is  no  wanton  pride,  no  frenzied  boast, 
But  just  the  picket's  password  at  his  post. 
Yours  is  the  right  to  challenge  and  repel 
The  enemies  that  trouble  Israel. 

GEORGE  ALEXANDER  KOHUT. 


762 


VIII 
IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 

The  Stamp  of  Civilization 

JAPAN  hath  Western  culture?    So  you  say.    O  vain 
sophistic  thought! 
'Tis  but   the  color  of   its  texture   that   in   her  life  is 

lightly  wrought. 
Civilization's   higher    forms   belong   to   Western    men 

alone. 

As  for  Japan?     Why  e'en  Anti-Semitism  in  her  land 
is  quite  unknown. 

MAX  NORDAU. 
(Translated  by  J.  F.) 


Confidence 

SAID  the  State  to  the  prelate  your  pay  we  will  with- 
hold. 
Smiled   the  priest   in   reply,   I  scorn  your  pow'er  and 

gold, 

You  use  your  godless  might  with  heavy  cruel  hand, 
But  back  your  gifts   I   fling,  nor  care   for  your  com- 
mand, 
Nor  need  our  Church  fear  want;  aye,  money  will  be 

found. 

And    free   'twill   be   given — since   rich   Jews   do   here 
abound. 

MAX  NORDAU. 
(Translated  by  J.  F.) 


Ein  uralter  Spruch 

JVAOST   prayers  of   my  childhood    days 
AVA        From  memory  have  fled, 
No  prayer  at   meals,   at   rising, 

Nor  when   I   go  to  bed. 
But  one  I   hold   in  high  esteem, 

And  looms  in  large  proportion ; 

765 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

My  stay  it  is  in  happy  hours, 

And  staff  in  my  misfortune. 
And   would  you  know  this  pray'r  of  mine, 

Mosaic  interwoven? 
It  is  the  ancient  formula 

Boree  Peri  Hagofen.         HEINRICH  HEINE. 

The  Vision  of  His  People 

RE  yet  the  morn  in  glory  rose, 

While  yet  I  tuned  my  harp's  sweet  string, 
A    change   came    over    me,    alas! 
I  can  but  wail — I  cannot  sing! 
For  frightful  dreams  I  saw  by  night, 
I  saw  my  people — horrid  sight! 

LEON  GORDON. 

Israelite 

Juan  Alfonso  Baena,  a  converted  Jew  who  flour- 
ished in  the  beginning  of  the  i5th  Century,  made  a 
curious  collection  of  the  poems  of  the  Trobadores 
Espanoles  including  his  own  from  which  Rodrigues 
de  Castro  has  given  copious  extracts.  Don  Santo,  who 
flourished  about  the  year  1360,  made  the  following 
modest  and  not  inelegant  apology  for  taking  his  place 
among  the  poets  of  the  land  which  had  given  him 
birth : 

""THE  rose  that  twines  a  thorny  sprig 

Will  not  the  less  perfume  the  earth; 
Good  wine  that  leaves  a  creeping  twig 
Is  not  the  worse  for  humble  birth. 

The  hawk  may  be  of  noble  kind 

That  from  a  soiled  eyrie  flew, 
And    precepts   are   not  the   less   refined 

Because   they   issue   from   a  Jew. 

SANTOB  DE  CARRION. 

766 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 

Between  Two    Stools 

will  not  keep  the  Jewish  Sabbath,  not  he, 
Because  the  Church  has  otherwise  ordained ; 
Nor  yet  the  Christian  for  he  does  not  see 
How  alt'ring  the  day  can  be  maintained; 
Thus  seeming  for  to  doubt  of  keeping  either 
He  halts  betwixt  them  both  and  so  keeps  neither. 

JOHN  HEATH. 

The  Rabbi's  Present 

A    RABBI  once,  by  all  admired, 
**       Received,    of   high   esteem   the   sign 
From  those  his  goodness  thus  inspired, 

A  present  of  a  cask  of  wine. 
But  lo!  when  soon  he  came  to  draw, 

A  miracle   in   mode   as   rapid 
But  quite  unlike  what  Cana  saw, 

Had  turned  his  wine  to  water  vapid. 
The  Rabbi  never  knew  the  cause, 

For  miracles  are  things  of  mystery; 
Though  some  like  this  have  had  their  laws 

Explained  from  facts  of  private  history. 
His  friends  whom  love  did  aptly  teach, 

Wished  all  to  share  the  gracious  task, 
So  planned   to  bring  a  bottle  each, 

And  pour  their  wine  in  one  great  cask. 
Now  one  by  chance  thought,  "None  will  know, 

And  with  the  wine  of  all  my  brothers 
One  pint  of  water  well  may  go;" 

And  so  by  chance  thought  all  the  others.   '  /^ 

ANONYMOUS. 

„      ^    . 
An  Epitaph 

LJERE  lies  Nachshon,  man  of  great  renown, 
Who  won  much  glory  in  his  native  town; 
'Twas  hunger  that  killed  him,  and  they  let  him  die — 

767 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

They  give  him  statues  now,  and  gaze,  and  sigh — 
While  Nachshon   lived,   he  badly  wanted   bread, 
Now  he  is  gone,  he  gets  a  stone  instead. 

BEN  JACOB. 
(Translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner.) 

All  Things  To  All  Men 

A  DAPT  thyself  to  time  and  circumstance 
**  So  wilt  thou  be  untroubled  every  way. 
Amongst  the  wise  make  wise  thy  countenance 
And  with  the  fool  the  role  of  dullard  play; 
Roar,  if  upon  a  lion  thou  shouldst  chance; 
But  if  an  ass  thou  meetest  simply  bray. 

BEN  JOSEPH  PALQUERA. 
(Translated  by   Harry  W.   Ettelson.) 

The  Miser 

A     MISER  once  dreamed  he  had  given  away 
**•        Some  bread  to  a  beggar  hed'd  met  in  the  day. 
He  woke  with  a  start  and  solemnly  swore 
That  as  long  as  he  lived  he  would  slumber  no  more. 

BEN  ZED. 
(Translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner.) 

The  Wife's  Treasure 
(Midrash  Yalkut,  Chapter  17) 

AT  Sidon  lived  a  husband  with  his  wife 
•**•   For  ten  long  years,  leading  a  tranquil   life, 
With  but  a  single  grief — they  had  no  child, 
And,   to  his  barren  lot  unreconciled, 
The  man  upon  it  brooded.     Then  he  bent 
His  steps  to  Rabbi  Simeon,  with  intent 
To  be  divorced ;  and  to  the  woman's  tears 
He  steeled  his  heart,  and  said:  "Ten  ha'ppy  years 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 

In  peacefulness  with  thee,  true  heart,  I  spent; 
Staunch  wert  thou  ever,  nor  a  word  to  smart 
Escaped  thy  lips.     And  now,  before  we  part, 
I  will  accord  the  treasure  thou  dost  find 
In  thy  old  home  best  suited  to  thy  mind. 
Take  it;  whate'er  it  be,   it  shall  be  thine, 
To  solace  thee  when  thou  no  more  art  mine." 
Then  said  the  Rabbi  Simeon:  "O  ye  pair! 
Before  ye  separate,  a  feast  prepare, 
And  pledge  each  other  in  the  ruddy  wine; 
Then   the  feast  ended,  woman,  unto   thine 
Own  father's  house  do  thou  repair." 
That  very  night  the  supper  board  was  spread, 
According  to  -the  law;  one  seated  at  the  head, 
The  other  at  the  bottom.     To  the  brim 
The  woman  filled  the  bowl  and  passed  it  to  him, 
And  then  he  pledged  her,  and  she  filled  again, 
And  he  the  goblet  to  his  wife  did  drain 
Once  more,  with  many  wishes  good  and  fair, 
But  she  the  generous  liquor  did  not  spare, 
Until  he  fell   into  a  drunken  sleep, 
With  head  upon  the  table,  heavy  and  deep. 
And  thus  concluded  the  farewell  carouse. 
So  then,  she  took  him  up  with  gentle  care 
Upon  her  shoulder,  and  her  husband  bare, 
Nodding  and  drowsing,  to  her  father's  house, 
And  laid  him  on  the  bed. 

At  peep  of  day 

He  started  up  and  said:  "Woman!  I  pray, 
Tell  me,  where  am  I  ?" 

She  to  him   replied: 

"You  promised  me  that  nought  should  be  denied 
To  me  of  what  I   valued.     I   could   find, 
In  all  thy  house,  thee  only  to  my  mind, 
And  I  have  borne  thee  hither;  now  I  trow 
That  thou  art  mine;  I  will  not  let  thee  go. 
When  I  was  thine,  thou  wouldst  be  quit  of  me; 
Now  thou  art  mine,  and  I  will  treasure  thee!" 

SABINE  BARING-GOULD. 

769 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


Water  Song 

""THE  Feast's  begun 
*    And  the  Wine  is  done, 
So  my  sad  tears  run 

Like  streams  of  water,  streams  of  water. 

Three  score  and  ten  were  Wine's  bold  braves, 
But  a  full  score  more  were  Water's  knaves, 
And  silent  are  our  watery  graves. 

For — whence   tuneful   note? 

When  the  minstrel's  throat 
Tastes  naught  but  Water,  Water,  Water! 

Around  the  board  you  see  no  smile; 

Untasted  dishes  rest  in  file, 

How  can  I  touch  these  dainties  while 

There  stands  my  cup 

To  the  brim  filled  up 
With  hated  Water,  Water,  Water! 

Old  Moses  chid  the  Red  Sea  tide, 
And  Egypt's  dusky  streams  he  dried, 
Till  Pharaoh's  fools  for  Water  cried! 

But  Moses  dear, 

Why  dost  thou  here 
Turn  all  to  Water,  hated  Water? 

Can  I  myself  to  aught  compare? 

To  the  frog  who  damp  in  watery  lair, 

With   dismal   croakings  fills  the  air. 

So  frog  and  I 

Will  sing  or  cry, 
The  song  of  Water,  the  dirge  of  Water. 

The  man  whom  water  can  delight 
For  aught  I  care  may  turn  Nazirite; 
Total  abstention  shall  be  his  plight! 

And  all  his  days 

To  his  lips  shall  raise 
Cups  of  Water,  always  Water! 

770 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 

The  Feast  is  done, 
And  Wine  there's  none; 
So  my  sad  tears  run 

Like  streams  of  Water,  streams  of  Water. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Israel  Abrahams.) 


J7ULL  sweet  of  a  truth  is  the  sparkle  of  wine, 

But  sorely  we  miss  this  blessing  divine, 
And  how  can  we,  waken  a  song  or  a  laugh 
When  we  find  that  we  simply  have  nothing  to  quaff 
But  water,   mere  water? 

II 

The  banquet  has  little  contentment  to  bring, 
Bears  little  incitement  to  joke  or  to  sing, 
When  the  potions  we  hoped  to  our  future  would 
Turn  out  in  the  end  to  be  nothing  at  all, 
But  water,   yes  water. 

Ill 

Good  Moses  of  old  caused  the  waters  to  flee, 
And  led  all  his  people  dryshod  o'er  the  sea; 
But  Moses,  our  host,  at  the  precedent  frowns, 
And  us,  his  poor  guests,  he  unflinchingly  drowns 
In  water,  cold  water. 

IV 

We  sit  round  the   table  like  cold-blooded   frogs, 
Who  live  out  their  lives  in  the  watery  bogs; 
Well, —  if  we  have  fallen  on  watery  days, 
Let  us,  too,  like  them,  croak  a  paean  in  praise 
Of  water,   dear  water. 

771 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

V 

Long,  long  may  our  host  here  with  main  and  with 

might 

By  night  and  by  day  for  his  temperance  fight, 
And  may  he  and  his  line  find  it  writ  in  the  law 
That  their  business  in  life  will  be  ever  to  draw 
Water,  pure  water. 

SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL. 
(Translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner.) 


Wine  Song 

r\EAR  friend,  beneath  this  spreading  tree 
*-*'        Where   flitting  shadows  come  and   go, 
With  myrtles  crowned  and  roses  we 
The  joys  of  wine  will  freely  know. 

Drink  wisdom  in  with  every  draught, 
In  wine  shalt  thou  discover  here 

Thy  inner  fires,  thy  mental  craft, 
Increasing  with  each  passing  year. 

The   thousand   years   of   this   our  earth 
To  God  are  but  short  lasting  hours; 

A  moment's  death,  a  moment's  birth, 
To  God  is  one  long  year  of  ours. 

Ah!  would  that  I  might  live  and  laugh 
Through  one  God-year  a  thousand  fold; 

That   I,  forever  young  might  quaff 
Oceans  of  wine  that  e'er  grows  old. 

JUDAH  AL-HARIZI. 
(Translated  by  I.  A.) 


772 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 
The  Ballad  of  Ephron,  Prince  of  Topers 


listen    to    a    merry    song    about    a    merry 
wight — 
The   sovereign   of  all   topers   he,    Ephron   the   Prince 

that  hight; 

He  strict  forbade  that  any  lad  who  aimed  to  live  aright 
Should  ever  drink  a  drop — a  drop  of  water! 

When  with   his  court  he  sate  at  board,   they   always 

brought  him  first, 

A  bowl  of  twenty  flagons  for  to  slake  his  royal  thirst; 
Then   he'd  fall   to,   and   crunch   and   chew  until   you 

thought  he'd  burst — 
But  never  stop  to  drink  a  drop — of  water! 

Each  morn  Prince  Ephron  said  his  prayers  before  he 

broke  his  fast — 
"Good  Lord!"  he'd  cry,  "My  mouth  is  dry,  my  tongue 

and  lips  stick  fast ; 
My  throat's  on  fire,  my  heart's  a  pyre,  my  frame's  a 

furnace  vast, 
Oh,   quench   my   flames  with   drink — but   not   with 

water ! 

"Make  haste,  dear  friends,  for  love  of  God  and  my 

immortal  soul, 
And  fetch  me  good  old  white  wine  in  my  lordly  silver 

bowl  ; 
Oh,  that's  the  thing  to  heart  a  king  and  make  a  sick 

man  whole — 
But  spoil  it  not,  Oh,  spoil  it  not,  with  water! 

"The  harm  that  water  does  to  folk,  if  that  you  doubt," 

says  he, 

"There's  quite  a  bit  in  Holy  Writ,  for  everyone  to  see ; 
Examples  few,  I  think  will  do,  to  make  you  say  with 

me, 
That  danger  lurks  in  every  drop  of  water. 

773 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

"There's  Noah's  flood — that  near  made  mud  of  all  the 

world  then  known — 
The    Nile — wherein   by    tyrants   vile,   our    baby   boys 

were  thrown — 
And  the  Red  Sea— where  Pharaoh's  host  went  down 

like  any  stone — 
Now  what  were  flood,  and  Nile,  and  sea,  but  water! 

"There's  Moses — meekest  shepherd   he,   of  an  unruly 

flock- 
Yet    lost    the    Promised    Land    because,    in    rage,  he 

struck  the  rock; 
If  blame  to  him,  no  shame  to  him,  for  sure  'twas  quite 

a  shock 
To  hear  the  people  grumble  so — for  water! 

"Look  ye,  how  pride,"  he  often  cried,  "makes  for  con- 
tracted view; 

Your    glass-blowers    now,    from    potters    well    might 
learn — and  tinkers  too! 

This  thing  they  call  a  wine-glass,  pah !     'Twould  hold 

a  drop  of  dew — 
But  I'm  not  drinking  dew — or  any  water!" 

Prince  Ephron  kept  the  sacred  days  of  Israel's  faith. 

At  least, 
If    fasts    him    irked,    he   never    shirked    a   single   holy 

feast ; 
And  on  the  Days  of  Penitence,  was  none,  in  West  or 

East, 
That,  more  than  he,  kept  gullet-free — from  water. 

Tebet    would    make    him    whine    and    fret;    through 

Tamuz  he  would  bawl ; 
And  sore  he'd  moan  and  fast  he'd   groan,  in  Ab  for 

Zion's  fall, 
Till  by  the  ninth  too  weak  he'd  grown,  to  try  to  fast 

at  all; 
Yet  still  he  strict  abstained — from  drinking  water, 

774 


IN    LIGHTER    VEIN 

Yom   Kippurim  his  eyes  went  dim,   with  anguish  of 

the  soul, 
So  by  the  Din  it  was  no  sin   to  call  for  plate  and 

bowl; 
But  down  his  cheeks  in  salty  streaks  the  tears  of  guile 

would  roll, 
And  once  in  every  year,  he  tasted  water. 

Amends,  indeed,  he  made  full  meed.    Each  month  he'd 

keep  Purim 
The    four    cups    he    made    forty — every    night    Leil 

Shimurim; 
Succoth,  Sh'buoth,  Kiddush  and  Habdalah  were  good 

to  him — 
Be  sure  his  cup  of  blessing  wasn't  water! 

Whene'er  it  rained  or  threatened  rain,  at  home  would 

Ephron  stay; 
"If  clouds   were  wine-vats   and   their  showers  strong 

drink,"  he  used  to  say, 
"I'd  hie  me  out  the  storms  to  flout,  and  bask  in  them 

all  day — 
"But  what's  the  use  of  'ifs,'  "  he  said,— "or  water!" 

"If  'stead  of  brine,  the  waves  were  wine,  of  vintage 

fine,"  quoth  he, 

"I'd  wish  to  be  a  Jonah's  fish  a'  swimming  in  the  sea; 
None  other  Eden  would  I  ask  to  all  eternity — 
But  for  our  sins  God  made  the  sea  of  water! 

"For  had  He  sent  a  flood  of  wine — in  Noah's  time, 

you  know, 

Our  patriarch  had  built  no  ark,  to  be  shut  in,  below; 
In  such  a  tide,  Oh,  none  had  died — but  all  cut  up 

Dido— 
And  that's  why  rivers,  rains  and  seas  are  water!" 


775 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Prince  Ephron  (peace  upon  his  soul!)   lies  sleeping  in 

the  dust 

Until  that  day  when,  sages  say,  the  sinful  and  the  just 
Shall   rise   to  meet  their  due   reward.     Then,   let  us 

humbly  trust, 
Nor  he,  nor  we,  shall  crave  in  vain  for  water! 

IMMANUEL  BEN  SOLOMON  OF  ROME. 
(Translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen.) 


776 


INDEXES 


INDEX  TO  FIRST  LINES 


A  broad  gold  band  engraven,  36. 

A  curious  fancy  seized  on  Moses'  soul,  71. 

A  curious  title  held  in  high  repute,  614. 

A  dawning  sun  breaks  through  the  sable  cloud,  471. 

A  deep-bassed,  thunder-rolling  psalm,  17. 

A  face  more  vivid  than  he  dreamed  who  drew,  336. 

A  glorious  heritage  is  mine,  547. 

A  gorgeous  structure,  rich  with  fretted  gold,  112. 

A  hospital  for  the  poor  and  weary  Jew,  712. 

A  lily  lies  broken  and  bare  on  a  highway,  469. 

A  man  stood  stained!     France  was  one  Alp  of  hate,  655. 

A  miser  once  dreamed  he  had  given  away,  768. 

A  new  shrine  stands  in  beauty  reared,  629. 

A  Rabbi  once,  by  all  admired,  767. 

A  Rabbi's  child  and  Puritan's  once  met,  91. 

A  rare,  sweet  daughter  of  a  wondrous  race,  742. 

A  rugged  stone,  33. 

A  single  light  is  kindled  and  it  glows,  323. 

A  star  of  guidance  o'er  Life's  troubled  ocean,  638. 

A  tract  of  land  swept  by  the  salt  seafoam,  651. 

A  wail  comes  o'er  the  swelling  seas,  666. 

Above  the  grief  of  Israel  soars  a  voice,  752. 

Absalom!   Absalom,   106. 

According  to  His  righteous  will,  387. 

Across  the  Eastern  sky  has  glowed,  675. 

Across  the  land  their  long  lines  pass,   590. 

Across  the  life-path  of  our  destiny,  285. 

Adapt  thyself  to  time  and  circumstances,  768. 

Adown  the  vista  of  the  long  ago,  691. 

Afar  the  reaches  of  our  land  one  day,  754. 

Ah,  I  could  worship  thee,  8. 

Ah!  ingrate  people  whom  I  sought  to  please,  531. 

Ah,  more  and  more  at  evening,  711. 

All  the  world  shall  come  to  serve  Thee,  453. 

Al-Muzawwir!  the  "Fashioner!"  say  thus,  18. 

All  living  souls  shall  bless  Thy  name,  409. 

779 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Although  tormented  and  ill-treated,  219. 

Amid  the  murm'ring  din  and  seething  strife,  735. 

An  age-worn  wanderer,  pale  with  thought  and  tears,  7. 

Ancient  pages  of  the  Talmud,  165. 

And  all  is  lost!     Thy  valiant  sons  are  dead,  377. 

And  Edward's  England  spat  us  out — a  band,  566. 

And  Rachel  lies  in  Ephrath's  land,  39. 

And  so  we  twain  must  part!     Oh  linger  yet,  240. 

And  thou   art  gone,   Grace  Aguilar,    644. 

And  who  is  He  that  sculptured  in  huge  stone,  77. 

Another  Moses  of  our  race,  736. 

Antigonus  of   Socho  said,   170. 

Are  these  the  ancient  holy  hills,  515. 

Arise  and  sing,  thou  deathless  melody,  389. 

Arise!   Sons  of  Israel,  arise,   139. 

Art  thou  not,  Zion,  fain,  371. 

As  down   the   age   he   shambles,   gaunt   and   gray,   581. 

As  side   by  side   they   traveled   through   the   years,   758. 

As  to  an  ancient  temple,  i. 

Ask,  it  is  well,  O  thou  consumed  of  fire,  430. 

At  early  morn,  Thee  will   I  seek,  404. 

At  midnight,  so  the  rabbis  tell,  102. 

At  morn  I  ask  Thee,  lend  Thy  shelt'ring  aid,  406. 

At  Sidon  lived  a  husband  with  his  wife,  768. 

At  the   dawn,   I   seek   Thee,  405. 

Awake,  oh  Israel!  and  hear,  492. 

Awake  to   lyric   rapture   once   again,   650. 

Away  from  our  land,  479. 


Back,  my  soul,  into  thy  nest,  237. 

Be  thou  a  Jew!     Let  oppressors  scoff,   596. 

Bearded  old  patriarchs,  flippant  young  men,   573. 

Beautiful  height!  O  joy!  the  whole  world's  gladness,  464. 

Before  the  glorious  orbs  of  light,  392. 

"Behold,  as  I  sit  here,  alone  and  forlorn,"  493. 

Behold  thou  art  all  fair,  my  love,  116. 

Before  Thy  heavenly  word   revealed  the  wonders   of  Thy 

will,  393. 

Behold,  O  Lord,  Thy  faithful  people,  218. 
Belov'd  of  all  to  whom  the  muse  is  dear,  744. 
Beloved,  you  must  go — ask  not  to  stay,  759. 
Belshazzar  is  king!    Belshazzar  is  Lord,  141. 
Ben  Levi  sat  with  his  books  alone,  195. 
Beneath  the  full-eyed  Syrian  moon,  24. 
Bezalel,  filled  with  wisdom  to  design,  74. 
Bless'd  art  Thou,  O  Lord  of  all,  407. 
Blessed  Bible!  how  I  love  it,  4. 
Blue  are  the  skies  in  the  land  of  our  fathers,  498. 

780 


INDEX   TO    FIRST   LINES 

Bow  of  beauty,  arching  o'er  us,  tinted  with  unearthly  dyes, 

22. 

Bright  pledge  of  peace  and  sunshine!  the  surety,  22. 
''Bring  forth   the   Jew!"   Ben   Hassim   said,   "The   catiff   of 

his  creed,"  226. 

_  '.       ,  ,  e          , 

Brothers,  my  brothers — you  that  are  free,  671. 

But  the  waves  of  the  fury  of  nations,  499. 
But  who  shall   see  the  glorious  day,  482. 
By  Babel's  streams,  thy  children  wept,  136. 
By  Babel's  streams  we  sat,  we  wept,  137. 
By  Nebo's  lonely  mountain,  81. 
By  whom  was  David  taught,  97. 

Captive  of  sorrow  on  a  foreign  shore,  229. 

Cause  us,  our  Father,  to  lie  down  in  peace,  408. 

Cease,  Christian,  cease  the  word  of  scorn,  555. 

Chosen  of  old,  the  guardians  of  the  Law,  596. 

Closed  are  the  tear-gates  of  Paradise  now,  634. 

Come  all  who  serve  the  city,  all  who  serve,  759. 

Come  listen  to  a  merry  song  about  a   merry  wight,  773. 

Come,  my  beloved,  to  meet  the  Bride,  266. 

Come  not,  oh  Lord,  in  the  dread  robe  of  splendor,  124. 

Come,  O  Sabbath  day,  and  bring,  272. 

Come,  quaff  the  brimming  festal  glass,  345. 

Come  tell  us  the  story  again,   346. 

"Could  a  man  'scape  the  rod,"  175. 

Couldst  thou  have  lived  to  share  with  us  this  hour,  743. 

Creator,  Author  of  all  things,  426. 

Cruel  foes  with  hate  inflamed,  216. 

Crumbling,  age-worn,  in  Rome  the  eternal,  517. 

Daughter  of  Zion!  Awake  from  thy  sadness,  482. 
Daughters  of  Zion,  from  the  dust,  485. 
Dear  bard  and  prophet,  that  thy  rest  is  deep,  738. 
Dear  brother,   brave   and   battle-scarred    and   bold,   761. 
Dear  friend,  beneath  this  spreading  tree,  772. 
Deep  be  thy  sleep,  brave   Prophet — Priest  of   God,  747. 
Descend,  descend,  O  Sabbath  Princess,  270. 
Disraeli  dead!     The  trappings  of  late  days,  728. 
Do  you  wonder  why  such  longing,   101. 
Down  by  the  shining  sea,   366. 

Down  from  the   mist-clad   mountain  Moses  came,   69. 
Down-trodden  'neath  the  Syrian  heel,  327. 
D'ye  see  that  shop  at  the  corner,  with  the  three  balls  over 
the  door,  603. 

Easy  the  cry  while  vengeance  now   is  wrought,   567. 
Ere  space  exists,  or  earth  or  sky,  438. 

781 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ere  yet  the  morn  in  glory  rose,  766. 

Erect  he  stands,  in  fervent  prayer,  403. 

Eternal  Lord,  His  praise  I  sing,  395. 

Extol  we  now  the  living  God,  399. 

Extolled  be  the  living  God  and   lauded  be  His  name,  398. 

Exult,  my  soul,  in  consciousness  proud,  413. 


Farewell,  O  Prince,  farewell,  O  sorely  tried,   507. 

Farewell?  Oh,  no!  It  may  not  be,  89. 

Farewell!  the  word  is  idle,  not  in  vain,  760. 

Father  of  Light  and  Life  and  Power,  630. 

Father  of  Mercies,  and  all  Human  Love,  678. 

Fee,  faw,  fum!   bubble  and   squeak,   610. 

Fire  from  high,  holy  heaven  down-drawn,  742. 

Fools  who  kill  for  the  lust  of  blood,  fiends  of  the  slaughter 

pen,  673. 

For  ages   imprisoned  in  shadow,   153. 
For  garnered  fields  and  meadows  cropped,  299. 
For  God,  the  living  God,  my  soul's  athirst,  422. 
For  I  have  hither  come,  O  ye  dead  bones,  661. 
For,  if  we  be  not  of  the  lost  Ten  Tribes,  533. 
For  that  day,  that  day  of  bliss  entrancing,   65. 
For  the  first  time  a  lovely  scene,  20. 
Forget  Thee,  oh  my  God!   and  can  this  be,  125. 
France  has  no  dungeons  in  her  island  tomb,  656. 
Friday  night!  come  draw  the  curtain,  268. 
From  Egypt  once,  'mid  storm  and  flame,  354. 
From  far-off  ages  hath  this  people  sprung,  543. 
From  far  Siberia's  frozen  plains,  662. 
From  His  garden  bed  our  Lord,  226. 
From  mem'ry's  lofty  vantage  ground,  627. 
From  old  to  new,  with  broadening  sweep,  285. 
From  Shushan's    royal    palace    came    the    edict    dread    and 

dark,  340. 

From  Sinai's  top  the  lightnings   flashed,   67. 
From  the  hall  of  our  fathers  in  anguish  we  fled,   130. 
From  the  hills  of  the  West,  as  the  sun's  setting  beam,  133. 
From  the  last  hill  that  looks  on  the  once  holy  dome,  157. 
From  town  and  village  to  a  wood,  stript  bare,  659. 
Full  oft  has  the  ark  been  opened,  303. 
Full  sweet  of  a  truth  is  the  sparkle  of  wine,  771. 


Genius  of  Raphael !  if  thy  wings,  632. 

Gifts,  as  romantic  as  the  cruse  of  oil,  618. 

Glows  once  more  in  the  Russian  sky,  the  blood-red  dawn  of 

a  day  of  hate,  663. 
Go  forth  among  this  homeless  race,  535. 

782 


INDEX   TO    FIRST   LINES 

Go  forth,  O  people,  159. 

Go  forth!   thou  man  of  force,   156. 

Go  where  a  foot  hath  never  trod,  50. 

Go,  with  the  wand'rer's  staff  in  hand,  503. 

God  got  me  ere  His  works  began,  121. 

God  healed  him  while  he  slept,  735. 

God  made  the  world  with   rhythm  and   rime,   622. 

God  of  the   World,   eternity's   sole   Lord,   274. 

God  of  thunder!   from  whose  cloudy  seat,  134. 

God  said:  "I  will  make  a  poet,"  648. 

God,  that  heaven's  seven  climates  hath  spread  forth,  76. 

God,  whom  shall  I  compare  to  Thee,  424. 

Gone  another  year,  435. 

Gone  is  thine  hour  of   night,   132. 

Good  Rabbi  Nathan  had  rejoiced  to  spend,  194. 

"Good  sir,  thou  didst  me  order,"  5-17. 

Groups  of  radiant  angels  soaring,  723. 

Grow  old  along  with  me,  615. 


Hail  to  the  brightness  of  Zion's  glad  morning,  483. 

Happy  he  who  saw  of  old,  445. 

Hard  by  the  walls  of  Plevna,  not  fifty  yards  away,  689. 

Hast  thou  heard  the  voice  of  my  Belov'd,  117. 

Have  you   read  in  the  Talmud  of  old,  207. 

He  came  into  the  Camp  of  Creed,  751. 

He  sang  of  God,  the  mighty  source,  98. 

He  set  us  free,  534. 

He  stood  on  Nebo's  lofty  crest,  77. 

He  stopped  at  last,  51. 

Hear,  O  Israel,  Jehovah,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one,   563. 

Her  hair  is  winged  with  summer  nights,  636. 

Here  lies  Nachshon,  man  of  great  renown,  767. 

Hidden  in  the  ancient  Talmud,  200. 

Hillel,  the  gentle,  the  beloved  sage,  167. 

His  dark  face  kindled  in  the  East,  529. 

His  was   another  race  than  mine,  725. 

Hold  thou  thy  friend's  honor  dear  as  is  thine  own,  209. 

Hope  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord,  420. 

Hope!  Not  distant  is  the  Springtime,  625. 

How  canst  thou  face  thy  Maker,  how  canst  thou  ever  dare, 

677. 

How  cloudy  is  the  sky,  545. 

How  great,  O  Israel,  have  thy  sufferings  been,  564. 
How  great  thy  Thoughts,  how  Glorious  thy  Designs,   12. 
How  long,  O  Lord!  how  long,  488. 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  sobs   and  sighs,  664. 
How  long   wilt   thou    in    childhood's   slumber    lie,   237. 
Ho.w  may  we  know  you,  year  of  all,  282. 

783 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

How  shall  I  stand  before  Thee,  Lord,  and  I  am  bowed  with 

shame,  435. 

How  shall  we  spend,  O  Lord,  623. 

How  strange  it  seems!    These  Hebrews  in  their  graves,  651. 
How  vain   and   dull   this  common   world   must  seem,   749. 
Hundreds  of  years  agone,  my  brothers,  585. 
Hush'd  was  the  evening  hymn,  85. 
Hushed  are  the  sounds  of  party-strife,  730. 

abide,  538. 

am  come  with  the  dawn  on  the  swift  wings  of  light,  473. 

am  the  suppliant  for  my  people  here,  451. 

asked  my  Muse  had  she  any  objection,  361. 

asked  the  wind,  "Where  hast  thou  been,"  174. 

bless  Thee,  Father,  for  the  grace,  273. 

cannot  find  Thee!    still- on   restless   pinion,   17. 

cannot   leave  thee,   husband;    in   thine   arm,   758. 

dreamt  I  saw  an  angel  in  the  sky,  616. 

had  a  mighty  vision  from  the  skies,  543. 

hear  His  voice  in  song  of  wren,  419. 

kindled  my  eight  little  candles,  325. 

know   not  what  this  world  would  be,  70. 

love  my  God,  but  with  no  love  of  mine,  16. 

marked  in  the  midst  of  the  glittering  throng,  572. 

remember  in  my  childhood,   358. 

saw  a  maiden  sweet  and  fair,  639. 

saw   in  rift  of  cloud  a  beaming  light,   519. 

saw — 'twas  in  a  dream,  the  other  night,  724. 

stand  in  the  dark;   I  beat  on  the  floor,   38. 

stood,  to-day,   in  a  temple,  284. 

thirst  for  God,  to  Him  my  soul  aspires,  421. 

will  not  have  you  think  me  less,  246. 

will  sing  a  song  of  heroes,  25. 

will   sing  high-hearted  Moses,  46. 
If  I  had  known,  dear  Master,  when  of  late,  732. 
If  I  have  failed,  my  God,  to  see,  293. 
"If,  Jerusalem,  I  ever,"  231. 
If  one  should  say,  "Thou  art  a  Jew,"  559. 
If  Patriarchal  days  alone  were  thine,  721. 
If  thou  art  merry,  here  are  airs,  10. 
If  thought  ever  reach  to  Heaven,  617. 
I'm  but  a  child,  and  childish  toys,  286. 
Impassioned  hours,  when  Hebrew  was  the  key,  236. 
Imperial  Persia  bowed  to  his  wise  sway,  142. 
In  all  great  Shushan's  palaces  was  there,  333. 
In  Arabia's  book  of  fable,  253. 
In  Babylon  they  sat  and  wept,  519. 
In  doubt,  in  weariness,  in  woe,   59. 
In  dying,  will  the  parting  breath,  126. 

784 


INDEX   TO    FIRST   LINES 

In  Hester  Street,  hard  by  a  telegraph  post,   575. 

In  his  chamber  sat  the  Rabbi,   118. 

In  Judah,  in  the  days  of  story,  313. 

In  Judah's  halls  the  harp  is  hushed,  42. 

In  lonely  hours  of  thought  I   long,  287. 

In  Paris  all  look'd  hot  and  like  to  fade,  640. 

In  quaint  old  Talmud's  pages,   267. 

In  schools  of  wisdom  all  the  day  was  spent,  189. 

In  stern   debate,  all  through  the  night  they  strove,   169. 

In  the  dark  depths  of  those  great  soulful   eyes,  640. 

In  the  height  and  depth  of  His  burning,  454. 

In  the  land  of  Brittany,  and  long  ago,  607. 

In  the  sadness  of  your  eyes,  598. 

In  the  weary  night  they  come  to  me,   668. 

In  the  wondrous  breastplate  golden,  72. 

Into  the  tomb  of   ages  past,  283. 

Is  it  so  far  from  thee,   106. 

Is  life  worth  living?     To  the  querulous  cry,  723. 

Israel   in  fetters  still!      The   prophet's   wand,   360. 

It  was  no^  granted  to  her  she  should  lead,  745. 

Japan  hath  Western  culture?     So  you  say.     O  vain  sophistic 

thought,  765. 

Jerusalem!   Jerusalem,  129. 
Jerusalem!    Jerusalem,   490. 
Jerusalem,  my  boast  and  pride,  467. 
Jerusalem!   on   thy   ruin'd  walls,   131. 
Jerus'lem!   Jerus'lem!   thy  glories  have  fled,  465. 
Jew  and  Christian,  side  by  side,  706. 
Judge  of  the  earth,  who  wilt  arraign,  442. 

Kalich,  thou  of  the  dark  and  brooding  face,  643. 
Kindle  the  taper  like  the  steadfast  star,  319. 
King  Solomon,  before  his  palace  gate,  120. 

Lamp  of  my  feet,  whereby  we  trace,  i. 

Land  of  the  cedar  and  palm,  501. 

Leave  me  alone  in  sorrow!     Ask  me  not,  90. 

Leave  not  a  veil  before  my  eyes,  418. 

Lechayim,  my  brethren,  Lechayim,   I   say,  301. 

Let  candles  shed  your  light,  329. 

Let  no  lament  break  forth  but  rather,  746. 

Let  the  voice  of  the  mourner  be  heard  on  the  mountain,  95. 

Let  those  who  will  hang  rapturously  o'er,  n. 

Let  us  build  to  the  Lord  of  the  earth  in  each  place,  296. 

Lift  up  thine  head,  oh  Israel,  gird  thine  armor  on  anew,  530. 

Like  a  tender,  loving  maiden,   349. 

Like  the  crash  of  the  thunder,  460. 

785 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Little -cruet  in  the  Temple,  318. 

Little  man  of  sorrows,  whither  would  you  wander,  473. 

Lo!  above  the  mournful  chanting,  288. 

Lo!  as  the  potter  mouldeth  plastic  clay,  444.' 

Lo!  I  am  Death!     With  aim  as  sure  as  steady,  244. 

Lo!  I  recall  the  siege  which  fell  on  me,  369. 

Lo,  this  is  the  law  that  I  gave  you,  362. 

Lone  in  the  wilderness,  her  child  and   she,   31. 

Lord,  do  Thou  guide  me  on  my  pilgrim  way,  427. 

Lord,  I   remember,   and   am  sore  amazed,  456. 

Lord  of  the  world,  He  reigned  alone,  390. 

Lord  of  the  world,  we  seek  Thy  face,  416. 

Lord  over  all !  whose  power  the  sceptre  swayed,  390. 

Lord,  the  true  that  follow  Thee,  321. 

Lord!  who  art  merciful  as  well  as  just,  417. 

Lovely  grapes  and  apples,  298. 

Maid  of  Persia,   Myrtle   named,   335. 

Make  friends  with  him!     He  is  of  royal  line,  344. 

May  has  come  from  out  the  showers,  577. 

May  He  who  sets  the  holy  and  profane,  276. 

Methought  I  saw  the  heavy  eyelids  rise,  701. 

Methought  on  two  Jews'  meeting  I  did  chance,  557. 

'Mid  the  light  spray  their  snorting  camels  stood,  56. 

Mighty,  praised  beyond  compare,  330. 

Mock  on,  mock  on,  Voltaire,  Rousseau,   534. 

Most  prayers  of  my  childhood  days,  765. 

Mother  England,  Mother  England,  'mid  the  thousands,  567. 

Mourn,  Mizraim,  mourn!     The  weltering  wave,  57. 

Must  the  sea  plead  in  vain  that  the  river,  502. 

My  dark-browed  daughter  of  the  sun,  635. 

My  darling,  your  grace,  639. 

My  God,  I  know  that  those  who  plead,  434. 

My  harp  is  on  the  willow-tree,  719. 

My  heart  is  in  the  East,  tho'  in  the  West  I  live,  240. 

My  Love !   hast  Thou  forgotten,  405. 

My  people,   my   people!   Arise,   O   bleeding  East,   497. 

My  Rabbi   was   Nature — she  set  me  to  learn,   699. 

My  soul  surcharged  with  grief  now  loud  complains,  249. 

My  sweet  gazelle!    From   thy  bewitching  eyes,  248. 

My  times  are  in  Thy  hand,  no. 

Naught  is  there  in  life  worth  living,  619. 

Ned  will  not  keep  the  Jewish  Sabbath,  not  he,  767. 

Night  has  on  the  earth  descended,  718. 

No  coward  soul  is  mine,  15. 

No  dirge   or   solemn  bell,   508. 

No  hate  can  stifle  our  religion's  birth,   599. 

No  longer  the  children  of  Zion  need  weep,  486. 

786 


INDEX    TO    FIRST    LINES 

No  tombstone   saw   they  there,   22. 

Nobody  cares,  for  he's  only  a  Jew,   599. 

Nor   life  nor  death  had   any  peace  for  thee,   648. 

Not  by  power,   625. 

Not  for  our  sake,  O  Lord,  549. 

Not  for  us  the  Sabbath  of  the  quiet  streets,  270. 

Not  'mid  the  clash  of  arms  he  won,  724. 

Now  die  away,  my  tuneful  song,  213. 

Now  dimly   thro'   our   tears   we   see   his   Face,   727. 

Now  lette  us  shede  the  brinie  teare,  93. 

"Now   say,  my  queen,"   the   monarch   cries,   343. 

Now  shall  the  praises  of  the  Lord  be  sung,  63. 

Now  the  stars  are  lit  in  heaven,  73. 

j 

O  Book  of  books,   and   friend  of  friends   alone,  7. 
O  city   of  the   world,   with   sacred    splendor    blest,   481. 
O  fairest  of  creation,  last  and  best.  20. 
O  fugitives  from  black  Oppression's  bread,  160. 
O  God  of  Israel,  Lord  on  high,  548. 
O  glory  of   an  elder   age,   568. 
O  golden   lights,  shine  out  anew,   321. 
O  heart,  who  art  a  fable,  new  and  true,  167. 
O  Israel!   in  the  morn's  returning  light,  621. 
O  Israel,  thy  glory  gleamed,  536. 
O  Israel!    wanderer   through   the   weary   years,    541. 
O  Israel's   God-anointed   warrior   king,    101. 
O  little  Land  of  lapping  seas,  474. 
O  long  the  way  and  short  the  day,   575. 
O  Lord,  I  call  on  Thee  when  sore  dismayed,  425. 
O  Lord,  my  God,  in  Thee  I  put  my  trust,  109. 
O  Lord  of  Hosts,  Thou  Only  One,  293. 
O  Lord,  Thou  know'st  my  inmost  hope  and  thought,  249. 
O  Lord,  Thy   righteous  wrath    and   vengeance   pour,   660. 
O  man  of  my  own  people,  I  alone,  557. 
O  Muscovite,  blind   is  your  wrath,   with,   660. 
O  people   long  oppressed    and   stricken    sore,   472. 
O  rain,   depart   with   blessings,   428. 
O  Son  of  man,  by  lying  tongues  adored,  659. 
O  Soul,  with  storms  beset,  242. 
O!   speed'ly  build  Thy  temple  shrine,  355. 
O  Star  of  Hope!  O  Blessed  Star,  496. 
O  sweet  anemones  on  Sharon's  plain,  500. 
O  the  legendary  light,  326. 

O  Thou  eternal  One!  whose  presence  bright,  15. 
O  Thou,  that  art  the  Trust,  the  Strength,  428. 
O  Thou,  the   One  supreme  o'er   all,   13. 
O  Thou,  sweet  friend,  would  I  might  soothe  thy  fear,  553. 
O  tribe  of  ancestry,  be  dumb,  thy  parchment  roll  review,  483. 
O  wherefore  was  my  birth  from  heaven  foretold,  88. 

787 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

O  while  within  a  Jewish  breast,  459. 

O  would  that  I  might  be,  436. 

O  youngest  daughter  of  thy  ancient  race,  634. 

O  Zion !   of  thine  exiles'  peace  take  thought,  374. 

"Observe  ye"  and  "remember"  still,  265. 

O'er  lordly  Shushan's  terrac'd  walls,  338. 

Of  all  the  thoughts  of  God  that  are,  109. 

Of  all  Thy  gifts  the  best,  415. 

Of  Israel's  sweetest  singer  now  I  sing,   100. 

Of  what  avail  in  low  estate  to  weep,  744. 

Oh!  city  of  world,  most  chastely  fair,  238. 

Oh,  dark  is  the  spirit  that  loves  not  the  land,  245. 

Oh!  harp  of  Judah !  wake  again,  619. 

Oh!  I  love  to  roam  in  fancy  o'er  the  hills  where  Zion  stood, 

7i3- 

Oh,  Mariamne,   now  for  thee,   145. 
Oh,  pilgrim,  halting  on  the  rock-strewn  sod,  32. 
Oh,  that  death  should  lay  thee  low,  745. 
Oh,  that  the  golden   lyre  divine,   682. 
Oh,  thou  Eternal  and  Omnipotent,  291. 
Oh!  weep  for  those  that  wept  by  Babel's  stream,  135. 
"Oh,  weep  not  for  the  dead."     Alas!  how  weak,  733. 
"Oh,  World-God,  give  me  Wealth!"  the  Egyptian  cried,  717. 
Oh,  Zion!  if  I  cease  for  thee,  138. 
Old  and  gray,  his  shoulders  bent,  685. 
Old  Israel's  readers  of  the  stars,  12. 

"Old  Rabbi,  what  tales  dost  thou  pour  in  mine  ear,"  198. 
On  evening's  bosom  snowy  cloudlets  wave,  253. 
On  hill    and   glade,  the   flowers  fade,   698. 
On  lovely  dwellings  fall   the  fervid   rays,  466. 
On  the  brow  of  Gilboa  is  war's  bloody  stain,  95. 
On  the  mountain's  top  appearing,  493. 
On  the  sand  and  sea-weed   lying,   58. 
On,  warriors  and  chiefs!  every  step  we  have  trod,  317. 
Once  in  my  secluded  chamber,  704. 
Once  more   a   singing   soul's   most   airy  vessel,   741. 
Once  th'   omnipotent   Maker  of   world   without   end,   201. 
Once,  through  a  night  of  darkness  and  of  shadow,  645. 
One  more  gravestone — one  more  heart,  700. 
Our  Rock  with  loving  care,  411. 
Our  sins  are   many,   and   we   sigh,   443. 
Out  of  dense  darkness,  stress  of  ages,  306. 
Out  of  the  depths  of  despair,  702. 
Outworn  by  studious  toil  and  age,  186. 

Patient  in  sorrow,  and  never  repining,  560. 

Pause,  O  ye  winds  of  Heaven,  pause  in  your  winged  flight, 

693- 
Peace  and   remembrance!   All   the  great,  753, 

788 


INDEX    TO    FIRST   LINES 


Peace!    no  tear  for,  him  who   sleepeth  near,   507. 
Pride  and  humiliation  hand  in  hand,   538. 
Prosaic  miles   of   streets   stretch  all   round,   353. 

Queen  Esther — so  the  Scriptures  say,   337. 

Rabbi  Ben  Hissar  rode  one  day,  177. 

Rabbi  Ben  Josef,  old   and   blind,   179. 

Rabbi  Ben  Shalom's  wisdom  none  but  his  scholars  know,  180. 

Rabbi  Ben  Zadok,  o'er  the  sacred   law,   171. 

Rabbi  Jehosha  used  to  say,  172. 

Reigned    the    universe's    Master,    ere    were    earthly    things 

begun,  391.  ^ 

Ring  in  the  glorious  festal-tide,  352. 
Rude  are  the  tabernacles  now,  415. 

Sad  eyes  and  dark  she  bends  upon  the  throng,  637. 

Said  Rabbi   Simon  to  his  son,  205. 

Said  the  child  of  the  bright  yellow  hair,  601. 

Said  the  State  to  the  prelate  your  pay  we  will  withhold,  765. 

Say  not  that  we  are  cut  off  by  Thee,  Guardian  of  Israel's 

race,  626. 

See  how  the  people  of  Israel  come  trooping,  488 
Seek  not  what  I   am  to  know,   522. 
Serene,  translucent  as  yon  Maytime  star,  618. 
Servants  of  time,  lo!  these  be  slaves  of  slaves,  239. 
Set  high  the   light  where  all   may  see,  328. 
Shall   I  sorrow,  oh  desolate  city,  370. 
Shamed   and  degraded  you  call  them — they,  708. 
She  gladly  shared  his  cup  of  death.     She  sought,  757. 
She  stands  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,   531. 
She  stood  breast-high   amid  the  corn,   88. 
She's  an  enchanting  little  Israelite,  636. 
"Shema  Yisrael,"  is  the  lesson  we  learn,  595. 
Shine,   Sabbath  Lamp,  oh  shine  with  tender   ray,  258. 
Shines  the  moon,  the  stars  are  glowing,  700. 
Silent  arid  wise  and  changeless,   600. 
Silver  candlesticks  that  beam,  260. 
"Simchas-Torah !   skip  and  hop,  300. 
Since   our  country,   our   God — oh,  my  sire,   86. 
Since  Terah's  son  from  Chaldea  went,  587. 
Since  we  be  standing  even  yet,  to  be,  449. 
Sing  to  Jehovah,  who   gloriously  triumphs,   62. 
Sing  unto  God  a  new  song,  sing  no  more,   503. 
So,   Lord,   teach   us  to   number  our   days,   361. 
So  once   more  the   ancient  story  lifts  its  voice  undulled  by 

age,  350. 
So — you  have  "recognized"  the  Jew,  601. 

789 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Soldier  of  Justice — fighting  with  her  sword,  654. 

Son  of  a  mystic  race,  he  came,  649. 

Sound  the   loud  timbrel  o'er  Egypt's  dark  sea,   61. 

Stand!   as  God  saw  thee  of  old  time,  558. 

Statue!  whose  giant  limbs,  84. 

Such  men  are  rare — they  tow'r  above  mankind,  505. 

Sweet  blue-eyed  Charity,  devout  and  calm,  722. 

Sweet  hymns  and   songs  will   I  indite,   386. 

Sweet  hymns  I  chant,  and  weave  melodious  songs,   384. 

Sweet  hymns  shall  be  my  chant  and  woven  songs,  381. 

Sweet  Jewish  maid,  crown'd  with  a  monarch's  love,  335. 

Sweet  Moab  gleaner  on  old  Israel's  plain,  91. 

Sweet  Sabbath-Bride,  the  Hebrew's  theme  of  praise,  263. 

Swift  as  birds  of  prey,  they  darted,  215. 

Swinging  low  by  a  garden  wall,  378. 

"Take  heed;  the  stairs  are  worn  and  damp,"  681. 

Talk  not  of  Christian  France,  lest  mantling  shame,  653. 

The  ancient  of  cities! — the  lady  of  nations,  475. 

The  Assyrian  came  down  like  the  wolf  on  the  fold,  127. 

The  bands  of  sleep  fall  on  mine  eyes,  406. 

"The  boneless  tongue,  so  small  and  weak,"  206. 

The  breath  of   ev'ry  living  thing,  408. 

The  Burden  of   Dumah.     Silence.     What  of  the  night,   124. 

The   Cerberus  breakers  that  brawl   and  that  cry,  402. 

The  chosen  ones  of  Israel  are  scatter'd  far  and  wide,  552. 

The  Doctors  in  the  Talmud  say,  209. 

The  dreamers  are  not  dead  in  Israel,  505. 

The  everlasting  Lord   who   reigned,  394. 

The  Feast's  begun,  770. 

The  flaming  sunset  bathed  the   distant  hills,   54. 

The  God  of  Israel  sate  on  high,  657. 

The  great  white  fast!  the  day  that  solemnly,  294. 

The  hand  of  Time  moves  o'er  the  dial,  329. 

The  harp  of  Zion  sleepeth,  484. 

The  High  Priest  at  the  altar  lingering  stood,  155. 

The  hills  and  the  valleys  are  flooded  with  moonlight,  703. 

The  Jew  of  whom  I  spake  is  old, — so  old,  537. 

The  Jews,  my  brothers,  will  they  understand  me,   696. 

The  King  was  on  his  throne,  143. 

The  last  lone  Sabbath  candle  sheds,  280. 

The  lifting  of  mine  hands  accept  of  me,  447. 

The  living  God,  O  magnify  and  bless,  397. 

The  living  God  we  praise,  exalt,  adore,  401. 

The  Lord  hath  set  me  o'er  the  kings  of  earth,  129. 

The  Lord  my  Shepherd  is,  no  want  I  know,  in. 

The  majesty  of  sunset  in  the  west,   269. 

The  measure  of  a  worthy  man,  760. 

The  moon  is  up,  the   stars   shine  bright,   163. 

790 


INDEX   TO    FIRST  LINES 

The  muse,  that  first  lent  grace  to  gratitude,   749. 

The  pall  was  settled.     He  who  slept  beneath,  104. 

The  plume-like  swaying  of  the  auburn  corn,  90. 

The  priest  bent  angry  gaze  upon  the  Jew,  584. 

The  Rabbi  Judah,   so  the  scribes   relate,   173. 

The  Rabbi  Levi  let  his  thoughts  be  cast,  185. 

The  Rabbi   Meir,   190. 

The  Rabbi  Nathan,  twoscore  years  and  ten,   181. 

The  rabbi  viewed  on  Zion's  hill,   168. 

The  rose   is   hid   by  prickly  thorn,   721. 

The  rose  that  twines   a   thorny  sprig,  766. 

The  Sabbath  is  here,   and  the  heavens   are  beaming,  271. 

The  scene  of  conflict  was  a  level  plain,  594. 

The  shadows  have  taken  the  place  of  the  sun,  279. 

The  shadows  of  an  Eastern  day,  28. 

The  shore  once  won,  who  counts  the  waves,  657. 

The  Spirit  breathes   upon  the   word,   3. 

The  starry  firmamen.t  on  high,   5. 

The  story   that    Herzl    told    was   true,   496. 

The  sullen   ice  has  crept  from  sunny  fields,   355. 

The  summer  glories   fade   in   autumn   mists,   708. 

The  sun    and   moon   unchanging   do   obey,   238. 

The  sun  had  set  upon  Jerusalem,  176. 

The  sun  of  the  morning  looked  forth  from  his  throne,  92. 

The  sun  shone  bright  upon  a  kingly  throne,  310. 

The  wild  gazelle  on  Judah's  hills,  139. 

The  world  was  at  his  feet,  44. 

Thee  I  will  seek,  to  Thee  unveil  my  breast,  439. 

There  is  a  lamp  whose  steady  light,  9. 

There  is   a   legend    (and  'tis   quaintly  sweet),  204. 

There  is  a  legend  full  of  joy  and  pain,  146. 

There  is  a  lonely  mountain-top,  86. 

There  is  a  mystic  tie  that  joins,  546. 

There  is  an  old  and  stately  hall,  221. 

There  is  an  eye  that  never  sleeps,  15. 

There  is  no  unbelief,  631. 

There  is  one  book,  far  dearer  than  the  rest,  734. 

There  is  one  only  God,  395. 

There  stood  upon  Moriah's  mount,  184. 

There's  a  memory  that  sweetens,  410. 

They  call  us  Jews.     Those  men  whose  family  tree,  553. 

They  drive  me  out  of  my  country,   593. 

They  say,  "The  man  is  false,  and  falls  away,"  128. 

They  sehzed  our  holy  congregation,  219. 

They  tell  me,  "Give  thy  nation  up,"  716. 

They  tell  me  my  spirit's  departed,  539. 

They  who  have  governed  with  a  self-control,  172. 

Thine  is  the  heritage  of  ancient  birth,  721. 

Thine  was  a  poet's  soul;  thine  was  a  heart,  747. 

791 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

This  book — this  holy  book,  on  every  line,  i. 

This  day  is  for  Israel   light  and  rejoicing,  275. 

This  day  sublime  elect,  my  God,  to  Thee,  292. 

This  holy   book  I'd   rather  own,    n. 

This  picture  does  the  story  express,  48. 

This  was  the  shepherd  boy  who  slung  the  stone,   108. 

Thou  art  a  Jew,  and   all  is  said,   561. 

Thou  art  of  all  created  things,  14. 

Thou  beautiful    Sabbath,  thou   sanctified   day,  261. 

Thou  art  but  One!  O  God  to  Whom  we  bow,  665. 

Thou  canst  accomplish  all  things,  Lord  of  might,  126. 

Thou  canst  have  no  other  God  but  mine,  715. 

Thou  fairest  one  of  Judah's  daughters,  637. 

Thou  glory  of  a  thousand  kings,  144. 

Thou  God,  the  only  God,  123. 

Though    life  may  fade,   love   never   dies,   727. 

Thou  lookest  backward  reverently.     'Tis  well,  707. 

Thou  poor  wan  phantom  of  a  vanished  joy,  348. 

Thou  knowest  my  tongue,   O   God,  241. 

Thou  sacred  flame,  so  mellow  and  subdued,  154. 

Thou,  to  whom  my  name  bears  witness,  215. 

Thou  sweet  Sabbath  of  rest!     Priceless  gift  from  above,  278. 

Though  bare  of  bloom  the  broad-leafed  fig,  122. 

Though  our  harps  hang  on  the  willows,  486. 

Three  thousand  miles  of  Atlantic  seas  and  a  throb  that  cuts 

the  top,  591. 

Thrice  happy  nation!  Favorite  of  heaven,  533.- 
Thrones  that  stood  and  realms  that  flourished,  40. 
Thy  beauty,  Israel,  is  gone,  96. 

Thy  faithful   sons,  whom  Thou  in  love  hast  owned,  214. 
Thy  praise,  O  Lord,  will   I  proclaim,  296. 
Thy  spirit,  Sage,  is  ever  on  the  wing,  736. 
Thy  thoughts  are  here,  my  God,  5. 
'Tis  night,  dark  night!  a  solemn  stillness  reigns,  52. 
'Tis  sorrow,  O  King!   of  the  heart,  140. 
'Tis  to  the  East  the  Hebrew  bends,  487. 
'Tis  written  in  the  chapter  of  "the  Cave,"  74. 
To  each   his   country   dearer   far,   720. 
To  Israel    the    charge   belongs,    410. 
To  Israel   this   day   is   joy   ever  bless'd,   414. 
To  the  home  of  the  rabbi  a  Lord  in  his  splendor,  617. 
To  thee  o'er  whose  fresh-closed  tomb,  732. 
To  Thee  we   give  ourselves  to-day,  293. 
Trembling  old  men  are  stamm'ring,  684. 
"Truth  is  an  idol,"  spake  the  Christian  sage,  650. 
Turn,   O  Israel,  turn   and   live,  294. 
'Twas  the  love  that  lightened  service,  34. 
Twilight  is  here,  soft  breezes  bow  the  grass,  669. 
Two  of   far   nobler   shape,   erect   and   tall,   20. 

792 


INDEX   TO    FIRST   LINES 


Two  stairs  are  shining  in  the  skies,  278. 

Under  no  skies  but  ours,  her  grave  be  made,  738. 

Under  shining,   under   shadow,    523. 

Under  the    Orient    skies    of    sapphire    where    the    sun    is    all 

aglow,   540. 

Upon  a  stone  in  olden  time,  33. 
Unto  thy  Rock,  O  my  soul,  uplift  thy  gaze,  420. 
Up  above  me  star  and  star,  277. 

Victor  of  God!  O  thou  whose  lamp  of  Fame,  305. 

Wake,  Israel,  wake!    recall  to-day,   309. 

Warriors   and  chiefs!    should  the  shaft  or  the   sword,  92. 

Was  it  thus,  stricken   remnant,  the  glory  of  God,  627. 

We  are  coming,  coming,  coming.     Fling  our  banners  to  the 

breeze,  495. 

We  climbed  the  hill  where  from  Samaria's  crown,  158. 
We  have  toiled,  O  Lord,  with  our  blood  and  our  might,  528. 
We  meet  to-day  to  call  upon  thy  name,  746. 
We  own  no  kingdom  and  we  flaunt  no  king,  623. 
We  sat  down  and  wept  by  the  waters,  137. 
We  sat  us  down  by  Babel's  streams,   132. 
We  welcome  thee  joyfully,  glorious  night,  332. 
We  were  at  school  together,  604. 
We  wonder  at,  we  praise  your  life,  757. 
Weep,  Israel!  your  tardy  meed  outpour,   513. 
Weep,  weep  for  him,  the  man  of  God,  80. 
We've  read  in  legends  of  the  books  of  old,  151. 
What!  do  I  hear  the  nation's  boast,  624. 
What  offerings  can  we  bring  Thee,  Lord,  297. 
What  praise  is  on  our  lips,  what  cheer,  364. 
What!  still  reject  the  fated  race,  542. 
What  this  "the  age  of  toleration"? — Yet,  715. 
What  treasure  greater  than  a  friend,  250. 
What's  the  meaning  of  the  rainstorm,  688. 
When  all  within  is  dark,  241. 
When  ancient  nations  bowed  the  knee,  628. 
When  as  a  wall  the  sea,  356. 
When  by  Jabbok  the  patriarch  waited,  36. 
When  by  the  hand  of  God  man  was  created,  206. 
When  he,  who,  from  the  scourge  of  wrong,  81. 
When  I  think  of  thee,  O  Zion,  491. 
When  is  the  Jew  in  Paradise,  272. 
When  Israel   dwelt  in  Egypt's  land,  67. 
When  Israel  from  proud  Egypt's  yoke,  55. 
When  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  365. 
When  Israel   marched  from  Egypt's  land,  463. 

793 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

When  Israel,  of  the  Lord  beloved,  631. 
'When  Israel's  son  in  Egypt  groaned,  676. 
WThen  Memnon's  sculptured  form  the  god  of  day,  642. 
When  on  thy  bed  of  pain  thou  layest  low,  737. 
When  ransomed  Israel   saw  the  returning  sea,  358. 
When  Solomon,  great  King  of  Israel,  149. 
When  Solomon  was  reigning  in  his  glory,  114. 
When  Sorrow,   blinded   with   her   tears,   418. 
When  strife  is  rampant  in  the  world,  663. 
When  the  fisher-folk  of  the   Netherland  coast,  748. 
WThen  the  great  leader's  task  was  done,  79. 
When  the  night  her  vision  is  weaving,  103. 
When  the  pride  of  the  rose  is  the  image  of  sorrow,  280. 
When  thou  canst  wash  the  Ethiopian  white,  694. 
When  you  tell   of  Israel's  heroes,  those  who   lived  in  days 

of  old,  307. 

When  Zion's  dire  captivity,  504. 

Whence,  but  from  Heaven,  could  men  unskill'd  in  arts,  9. 
Whence  comes  this  motley,   dark-eyed,  swarthy  crowd,   550. 
Where  are  the  cities  of  the  plain,  30. 
Where  are   you    going,    soldiers,   462. 
"Where  is  now  Elijah's  God,"  226. 
Where  is  the  modern  Judah  Maccabee,  709. 
Where  wait  the  soldiers  of  the  Lord,  481. 
Wherefore  weep  our  brethren  yonder,  513. 
Wheresoe'er  I  turn  mine  eyes,  420. 
Whether  of  Fate,  or  by  the  hand  of  man,  305. 
While  the  tribes  of  the  earth  yet  in  the  darkness  groped,  551. 
Who  called  thee  to  such  holy  high  estate,  506. 
Who  is  this  man  that  walketh   in  the  field,   31. 
Who  shall  narrate  Thy  wonders  wrought  of  old,  381. 
Who  tamed  your  lawless  Tartar  blood,  672. 
Why  look  ye  to  the  dead?     Awake,  7^5. 
Why  should  I  wander  sadly,  247. 
"Why  so  sad,  thou  princely  child,"  220. 
Why,  trembling  and  sad,  dost  thou  stand  there  and  mourn, 

489. 

Wide  open,  ye  doors,  and  raise  up  high,  O  gate,  471. 
Wing  thee,  my  song,  and  in  majestic  flight,  570. 
With  all  my  heart,  in  truth,  and  passion  strong,  239. 
"With  bated  breath  and  whispering  humbleness,"  679. 
With  fervor  and  joy  we  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  322. 
With  heads  bowed  down,  they  stand  with  streaming  eyes, 

478. 

With  mournful  pomp  they  bore  him  to  the  grave,  726. 
Without,  the  lonely  night  is  sweet  with  stars,  213. 
Wonderful   is  my  love,  721. 
Would  you  know  the  poet's  soul,  99. 

794 


INDEX    TO    FIRST   LINES 

Ye  daughters  and  soldiers  of   Israel   look  back,   60. 

Ye  heavens,    pray   for  mercy  on   my  head,    660. 

Ye  may  not  rear  it  now — though  some  aver,  574. 

Yea,  more  than  they,  who  through  the  gloomy  night,  438. 

"Yes,  he's  a  Jew" — and  then  you  shook  your  head,  582. 

Yes,  they  slay  us  and  they  smite,  217. 

Yet  though  the  fig-tree  should  no  burden  bear,  122. 

You  know  the  tale  of  Queen  Esther,  334. 

You  need  no  meed  of  praise  in  song  or  prose,  761. 

You  see  these  slender  tapers  standing  there,  324. 

Your  loins  let  girt  be,  498. 

Zion,  we  love  thee  well,  509. 


795 


INDEX  TO  TITLES 


Aaron  Levy  Green.     Anonymous,  727. 

Aaron's  Breastplate.     Anna  Shipton,  71. 

Abraham.     John  Stuart  Blackie,  25. 

Abraham  and  His  Gods.  Richard  Monckton  Milnes  (Lord 
Houghton),  24. 

Absalom.     Nathaniel  Parker  Willis,  104. 

Adam  and  Eve.     John  Milton,  20. 

Adam  to  Eve.     John  Milton,  20. 

Adas  Israel.     M.  Beyer,  621. 

Adon  Olam.     Anonymous,  393. 

Adon  Olam.     George  Borrow,  391. 

Adon  Olam.     Israel  Gollancz,  395. 

Adon  Olam.     Jessie  E.  Sampler,  394. 

Adon  Olam.     D.  A.  De  Sola,  390. 

Adon  Olam.     Israel  Zangwill,  390. 

Adonai  Melech.     Translated  by  Solomon  Soils   Cohen,  438. 

Adoration.     Madame   Guyon,  16. 

Adoration.     David  Levy,  410. 

After  Yom  Kippur.     Cora  Wilburn,  294. 

Age  of  Toleration,   The.     Arthur   Upton,  715. 

Akiba.     Alter  Abelson,  167. 

All  Father's  Word,  The.     Emily  Soils-Cohen,  Jr.,  358. 

All  the  World  Shall  Come  to  Serve  Thee.  Translated  by 
Israel  Zangwill,  453. 

All  Things  to  All  Men.  Ben  Joseph  Palquera  (translated 
by  Harry  W.  Ettelson),  768. 

American  Jewess,  The.     Albert  Ulmann,  634. 

"...  and    Give   Thee   Peace."     Florence    Weisberg,   708. 

And  the  Heavens  Shall  Yield  Their  Dew.  Solomon  Ibn 
Gabirol  (translated  by  Solomon  Soils  Cohen),  428. 

"And  Zion  Be  the  Glory  Yet."     Anonymous,  483. 

Angel,  The.     Dorothy  S.  Silverman,  616. 

Angel  of  Truth,  The.     Leopold  Stein,  201. 

Arch  of  Titus,  The.  Harry  Wolfsohn  (translated  by  Hor- 
ace M.  Kail  en),  517. 

Ark  of  the  Covenant,  The.     Nina  Davis,  146. 

As  Jacob  Served  for  Rachel.     Anonymous,  34. 

As  the  Stars  and  the  Sands.  S.  Frug  (translated  by  Joseph 
Jasin),  703. 

796 


INDEX    TO    TITLES 


At  Ellis  Island.     Margaret  Chandler  Aldrich,  590. 

At  Last.     Adelaide  G.  Waters,  185.' 

At  Samaria.     Clinton  Scollard,  158. 

At  Sinai.     Isabella  R.  Hess,  69. 

At  the  Gate.     Nathan  F.  Spielvogel,  593. 

Autumn   Songs.     S.  Frug   (translated  by  Alice  Stone  Black- 

ivell),  696. 

Awakening.     Jessie  E.  Sampler,  481. 
Awakening  of  Israel,  The.     Anonymous,  502. 
Azrael.     Henry   Wadsivorth  Longfellow,  120. 


Babylon.     Anonymous,  144. 

Back,  My  Soul.     Judah  Ha-Lcvi   (translated  by  M.  Simon), 

237- 

Ballad   of   Ephron,   Prince  of  Topers,   The.     Immanuel  Ben 
Solomon  of  Rome  (translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen), 

773- 

Ballade  of  Dead  Cities,  The.     Edmund  Gosse,  30. 
Banner  of  the  Jew,  The.     Emma   Lazarus,  309. 
Bar  Kochba.     Emma  Lazarus,  513. 
Baroness  de  Rothschild.     Emily  Marion  Harris,  727. 
Be   Not  Like   Servants  Basely  Bred.     Alice   Lucas,   170. 
Be  Thou  a  Jew.     Samuel  E.  Loveman,  596. 
Before  Battle.     Samuel  Roth,  528. 
Before  the  Ark.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  149. 
Belshazzar.     Bryan  Waller  Proctor   (Barry  Cornwall),  141. 
Ben  Karshook's  Wisdom.     Robert  Browning,  175. 
Benediction,  The.     Harry  Weiss,  410. 
Benjamin  Artom.     Re  Henry,  726. 

Benjamin  Disraeli,   Earl   of  Bea'consfield.     Punch,  728. 
Beth-El.     John  B.  Tabb,  33. 
Between  Two  Stools.     Jofr,    Heath,  767. 
Bezalel.     Israel  Zangwill,  74. 
Bible,  The.     Anonymous,  i. 
Bible,  The.     Richard  Barton,  i. 
Bible,  The.     David  Lcvi,  i. 
Bible,  The.     Phoebe  Palmer,  4. 
Blessing  the  Lights.     Alter  Abelson,  260. 
"Blood"  v.  "Bullion."     Punch,  679. 
B'nai  B'rith.     Miriam  Del  Banco,  691. 
B'nai   B'rith.     Rosa  Strauss,  693. 
Book  of  God.     Horatius  Bonar,  5. 
Brotherly  Love.     Thomas  Bailey  Aldrich(J~),  173. 
Burial  of  Moses.     Cecil  Frances  Alexander,  81. 
Burning  of  the  Law,  The.     Meir  of  Rothenberg   (translated 

by  Nina  Davis),  430. 

But  Who  Shall   See?     Thomas  Moore,  482. 
By  Babel's  Streams.     H.  Pereira  Mendes,   137. 

797 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

By  the    Red     Sea.     Judah    Ha-Levi     (translated    by    Alice 

Lucas),  356. 
By  the  Rivers  of  Babylon  We  Sat  Down  and  Wept.     Lord 

Byron,  137. 

Call  to  Israel,  A.     Cora  Wilburn,  709. 

Call  to  the  Builders,  A.     Helen   Gray  Cone,  574. 

Candle  Seller,  The.     Morris  Rosenfeld,  575. 

Cedars  of  Lebanon,  The.     Henry  Schnittkind,  499. 

Chamber  over  the  Gate,  The.  Henry  Wadsworth  Long- 
fellow, 106. 

Chanukah.     Margaret  Fireman,  329. 

Chanukah.     Cecilia  G.  Gerson,  329. 

Chanukah.     Marion  Hartog,  327. 

Chanukah.     Louis  Stern,  332. 

Chanukah  Hymn.     Adolph  Huebsch,  321. 

Chanukah  Lights.     Harold  Debrest,  324. 

Chanukah  Lights.     M.  M.,  323. 

Chanukah  Lights.     P.  M.  Raskin,  325. 

Chanukah  in  Russia,   1905.     E.  L.  Levetus,  328. 

Chief  among  Ten  Thousand,  The.     Horatius  Bonar,  116. 

"Children  of  the  Pale,  The."     Anonymous,  550. 

Chosen,  The.     Elizabeth  McMurtrie  Dinwiddie,  596. 

Chosen  Ones  of  Israel,  The.     Park  Benjamin,  552. 

Come,  My  Beloved.     M.  M.,  266. 

Come  Not,  oh  Lord.     Thomas  Moore,  124. 

Commandment  of  Forgetfulness,  The.     Alice  Lucas,  171. 

Confidence.     Max  Nordau   (translated  by  J.  F.),  765. 

Consecration  Hymn.     R.  Wagner,  630. 

Contents  of  the  Bible.     Peter  Heylyn,  10. 

Covenant  of  Sinai,  The.     J'oseph  Leiser,  362. 

Creation's  Psalm.     Swithin  Saint  Siuithaine,  17. 

Crowing  of  the  Red  Cock,  The.     Emma  Lazarus,  675. 

Cry  for  Zion,  A.     L.  Smirnow,  493. 

Cry  from  Russia,  A.     Hermine  Schwed,  671. 

Cry  of  Israel,  The.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (translated  by 
Solomon  Soils  Cohen),  241. 

Cry  of  Rachel,  The.     Lizette  Wordsworth  Reese,  38. 

Dance   of  Death,  The.     Santob   de   Carrion,  244. 

Daniel.     Richard  Wilton,  142. 

Daughter  of  Zion.     Anonymous,  482. 

David.     Alter  Abelson,   101. 

David  and  Jonathan.     Lucretia  Davidson,  95. 

David  Kaufmann.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  735. 

David's  Lament.     Robert  Stephen  Hawker,  95. 

Dawn  of  Hope,  The.     C.  Pesscls,  488. 

Day  of  Atonement.     Anonymous,  292. 

Day  of  Rest,  The.     Gustav  Gottheil,  272, 

798 


INDEX   TO   TITLES 


Destroying  Angel,  The.     Abraham   Cowley,  51. 
Destruction  of  Pharaoh,  The.     John  Ruskin,  57. 
Destruction  of  Sennacherib,  The.     Lord  Byron,  127. 
Dirge  of  Rachel.     William  Knox,  39. 
Divine  Love.     Anonymous,  70. 
Dreyfus.     Florence  Earle  Coate's,  656. 
Dreyfus.     Edwin  Markham,  655. 
During  the  Crusades.     Anonymous,  218. 
During  the  Crusades.     David  Ben  Meshullam,  215. 
During  the  Crusades.   .Ezra  Ben    Tanlium,  219. 
During  the  Crusades.     Eleazar,  214. 
During  the  Crusades.     Hillel  Ben  Jacob,  216. 
During  the  Crusades.     Kalonymus  Ben  Judah,  219. 
During  the  Crusades.     Menahem  Ben  Jacob,  215. 
During  the  Crusades.     E.  H.  Plumptre,  217. 
Dying  in  Jerusalem.     Thomas  Ragg,  490. 
Dying — Shall    Man   Live   Again?     Albert  Frank   Hoffmann, 
126. 

Ee-Chovoud.     S.  R.  Hirsch,  488. 

Eight  Chanukah  Lights,  The.     Isidore  Myers,  322. 

Ellis  Island.     James  Oppenheim,  591. 

Emma  Lazarus.     Henry  Cohen,  743. 

Emma  Lazarus.     Allan  Eastman   Cross,  741. 

Emma  Lazarus.     Richard  Watson  Gilder,  737. 

Emma  Lazarus.     Richard  Watson   Gilder,  738. 

Emma  Lazarus.     Minot  Judson  Savage,  742. 

Emma  Lazarus.     James  Maurice   Thompson,  742. 

Emperor  and  the  Rabbi,  The.     George  Croly,  198. 

Epitaph,  An.     Ben  Jacob    (translated  by  Joseph   Chotzner), 

767. 

Ernest  Renan.     Mary  Darmesteter,  650. 
Esteeming  the  Bible.     Horatius  Bonar,  n. 
Esther.     Helen  Hunt  Jackson,  336. 
Esther.     Florence  Weisberg,  335. 
Esther  J.   Ruskay.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  746. 
Exodus  x:  21-23.     J>  W.  Burgon,  67. 
Eve.     Lydia  Huntley  Sigourney,  20. 
Even  as  the  Daily  Offering.     Solomon  Ben  Abun  (translated 

by  Alice  Lucas],  442. 

Everlasting  Jew,  The.     Percy  Bysshe  Shelley,  537. 
Everlasting  Jew,  The.     Henry  B.  Sommer,  530. 

Faith.     Alice  Lucas,  415. 

Faithful  Bride,  The.     Anonymous,  204. 

Fall  of  Jerusalem,  The.     Alfred  Tennyson,  129. 

False  Hope,  The.     Horace  M.  Kallen,  701. 

799 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Fast  of  Tebeth,  The.  Joseph  Bar  Samuel  Tob  Elem  (trans- 
lated by  Nina  Davis),  369. 

Fated  Race,  The.     Anonymous,  542. 

Feast  of  Freedom,  The.     P.  M.  Raskin,  358. 

Feast  of  Lights,  The.     Emma  Lazarus,  319. 

Feldmesten  or  Measuring  the   Graves.     Alter  Abelson,  698. 

Field  of  Galboa,  The.     William  Knox,  92. 

Fin  de  Siecle.     Anonymous,  624. 

First  Song  of  Moses,  The.     George  Wither,  63. 

Forgotten  Rabbi,  The.     G.  M.  H.,  180. 

France's  Shame.     B.  B.  Usher,  653. 

Frederic  David   Mocatta.     James  Mew,  744. 

Friday  Night.     Isidore  G.  Ascher,  269. 

Friday  Night.     Miriam  Del  Banco,  268. 

Friendship.     Santoh  de  Carrion,  250. 

"From  Thee  to  Thee."  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (translated  by 
7.  A.),  24!. 

Fullness  of  the  Bible.     H.  J.  Beits,  9. 

Ghetto-Jew,   The.     Rufus  Learsi,   572. 

Gifts.     Emma  Lazarus,  717. 

Glory  of  God,  The.     Rebekali  Hyneman,  627. 

God  and  His  Martyrs.     Chayim  Nachman  Byalik,  661. 

God  Everywhere.     Abraham  Ibn  Ezra   (translated  by  D.  E. 

de  L.),  420. 

God  Is  Nigh  to  Contrite  Hearts.     David  Levy,  416. 
God  of  Israel,  The.     C.  M.  Kohan,  657. 
God  of   the   World.     Israel   Nagara    (translated    by   Israel 

Abrahams]  y  274. 
God,  Whom    Shall    I    Compare   to   Thee?     Judah    Ha-Levi 

(translated  by  Alice  Lucas),  424. 
God's  Chosen  People.     Adapted  by  Joel  Blau,  598. 
God's   Messengers.     Mrs.  A.  R.  Levy,  174. 
Golden  Lights  for  Chanukah.     Janie  Jacobson,  321. 
Good  Tidings  to  Zion.     Thomas  Kelly,  493. 
Grace     after     Meals.      Anonymous     (translated     by     Alice 

Lucas),  411. 

Grace  for  the  Sabbath.     Alice  Lucas,  414. 
Guardian  of  the  Red  Disk,  The.     Emma  Lazarus,  614. 
Gustav  Gottheil.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  735. 

Ha'  Bible,  The.     Robert  Nicoll,  8. 

Habbakuk's   Prayei*.     William   Broome,   122. 

Hagar.     Hartley  Coleridge,  31. 

Happy  He  Who  Saw  of  Old.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (trans- 
lated by  Alice  Lucas},  445. 

Harp  of  David,  The.  Jehoash  (translated  by  Alter  Brody), 
103. 

800 


INDEX    TO   TITLES 


Harp  of  Faith,  The.     Abram  S.  Isaacs,  102. 

Harp  of  Zion,  The.     James   Willis,  484. 

Harvesting  of  the  Roses,  The.     Menahem  Ben  Jacob,  226. 

Hatikvah — a  Song  of  Hope.  Naphtali  Herz  Imber  (trans- 
lated by  Henry  Snowman),  459. 

He  of  Prayer.     J.  F.,  200. 

He  Watcheth  over  Israel.     Solomon  L.  Long,  486. 

Heavenly  Light,  The.     Max  Meyerhardt,  365. 

Hebrew  Cradle  Song.  Ezekiel  Leavitt  (translated  by  Alice 
Stone  Blackwell),  718. 

Hebrew  Melody.     Mrs.  James  Gordon  Brooks,  130. 

Hebrew  Mind, 'The.     M.  L.  R.  Breslar,  618. 

Hebrew  Minstrel's  Lament,  The.     Anonymous,  133. 

Hebrew's   Friday  Night,  The.     Anonymous,  263. 

Heine.     A.  R.  Aldrich,  648. 

Heine.     George  Sylvester  Viereck,  648. 

Heinrich  Heine.     Ludicig  Leiviso/in,  649. 

Herod's  Lament  for  Mariamne.     Lord  Byron,  145. 

High  Priest  to  Alexander,  The.     Alfred  Tennyson,  156. 

Hillel  and  His  Guest.     Alice  Lucas,  167. 

"His  People."     Anonymous,  534. 

Holy  Cross   Day.     Robert  Browning,  609. 

Holy  Flame  "Menorah,"  The.     George  Jay  Holland,  154. 

Hope  and  Faith.  Isaac  Leib  Perez  (translated  by  Henry 
Goodman],  625. 

Honor  of  the  Jews.     William  Hodson,  533. 

Hope  for  the  Salvation  of  the  Lord.  Abraham  Ibn  Ezra, 
420. 

How  Long?     Israel  Cohen,  664. 

How  Long?     Judah  Ha-Levi,  237. 

How  Long,   O  Lord  ?     Elias  Lieberman,  668. 

Hymn  for  the  Conclusion  of  the  Sabbath.     Alice  Lucas,  276. 

Hymn  for  the  Relief  of  Israel,  A.     Canon  Jenkins,  676. 

Hymn  of   Glory.     Translated   by  Alice  Lucas,   386. 

Hymn  of  Glory,  The.  Judah  He-Hasid  (translated  by 
Israel  Zangivill),  381. 

Hymn  of  Glory,  The.     Translated  by  /.  A.,  384. 

Hymn  of  Unity.     Samuel  Ben  Kalonymus,  381. 

Hymn  of  Zion,  A.     Joel  Blau,  509. 

I  Am    the    Suppliant.     Baruch    Ben    Samuel    (translated    by 

Nina  Davis),  451. 

"I  Saw  a  Maiden  Sweet  and  Fair."     Rufus  Learsi,  639. 
I  Will   Not  Have  You  Think  Me  Less.     Santob  de  Carrion, 

246. 

I  Would  Reply.     Milton   Goldsmith,  559. 
Ida*  Straus.     Alter  Abelson,  757. 
Ida  Straus.     Bernard  Gruenstein,  757. 

80 1 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Ida  Straus.     Anne  P.  L.  Field,  758. 

Ida  Straus.     Corinne  Roosevelt  Robinson,  759. 

Ida  Straus.     Solomon  Solis  Cohen,  758. 

Immortality  of  Israel,  The.     Judah  Ha-Levi    (translated  by 

Israel  Cohen],  238. 
In  Exile.     Emma  Lazarus,  669. 
In  Exile.     Morris  Rosenfeld   (translated  by  Isidore  Myers] , 

503- 

In  Memoriam,  Ninth  of  Ab.     Ben  Avrom,  377. 
In  Shushan.     E.   Yancey  Cohen,  338. 
In  That  Day.     A.  C.  Benson,  106. 
In  the  Height  and  Depth  of  His  Burning.     Meshullam  Ben 

Kalonymus    (translated  by  Israel  Zanffiuill),  454. 
In  the  Hour  of  Need.     Leto,  603. 
In  the  Land  of  Our  Fathers.     K.  L.  Sillman,  498. 
In  the  Name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.     Anonymous,  663. 
Infinity  of  God,  The.     Emily  Bronte,  15. 
Inspiration  of  the  Bible.     John  Dryden,  9. 
Into  the  Tomb  of  Ages  Past.     Penina  Mo'ise,  283. 
Intolerance.     Ray   Trum  Nathan,  715. 
Invocation,  An.     Isidore  G.  Ascher,  619. 
Is  It  True?     Marie  Harrold  Garrison,  602. 
Isaac  M.  Wise.     Albert  Frank  Hoffmann,  755. 
Isaac  M.  Wise.     Walter  Hart,  751. 
Isaac  M.  Wise.     Ida  Goldsmith  Morris,  752. 
Isaac  M.  Wise.     Edna  Dean  Proctor,  753. 
Isaac  M.  Wise.     Harry  Weiss,  754. 
Israel.     John  Hay,  36. 
Israel.     Max  Meyerhardt,  564. 
Israel.     Ida  Goldsmith  Morris,  531. 
Israel.     Israel  Zangwill,  563. 
Israel  and  Columbia.     John  J.  McCabe,  568. 
Israel  and  His  Book.     Felix  N.   Gerson,  7. 
Israel  Forsaken.     Charles  Leon  Gumpert,  531. 
Israel  in  Russia.     Arthur  Guiterman,  665. 
Israel  Mocked.     Anonymous,  220. 
Israelite.     Santob  de  Carrion,  766. 
Israel's  God.     Lawrence  Cohen,  486. 
Israel's  Heritage.     Ida   Goldsmith  Morris,  623. 
Israel's  Mission.     Eve  Davieson,  543. 
Israel's  Spiritual  Lamp.     George  Eliot,  538. 

Jacob's  Dream.     S.  D,,  32. 

Jehovah-Nissi.    The  Lord  My  Banner.     William  Cowper,  97. 

Jehuda  Ben  Halevy.  Heinrich  Heine  (translated  by  Mar- 
garet Armour},  231. 

Jephthah's   Daughter.     Lord  Byron,  86. 

Jephthah's  Daughter.  Jehoash  (translated  by  Alter  Brodf), 
86. 

802 


INDEX    TO    TITLES 


Jeremiah,  the  Patriot.     John  Keble,  128. 

Jerusalem.     John  Kebble  Hervey,  476. 

Jerusalem.     /'.  C.  L.,  465. 

Jesse  Seligman.     Noah  Davis,  725. 

"Jew."     George  Faux  Bacon,  600. 

Jew,  The.     George  Alfred  Town  send,  529. 

Jew  in  America,  The.     Felix  N.  Gerson,  570. 

Jew  Is  True,  The.     Joaquln  Miller,  535. 

Jew  to  the  Gentile,  The.     Sara  Messing  Stern,  584. 

Jew  to  Jesus,  The.     Florence  Kiper  Frank,  557. 

Jewess.     Joaquln  Miller,  635. 

Jewess,  The.     Allan  Davis,  636. 

Jewish  Captive,  The.     Elizabeth  Oakes  (Prince]  Smith,  138. 

Jewish  Captive's  Song,  The.     Marion  and  Celia  Moss,  132. 

Jewish  Cemetery    at    Newport,     The.      Henry     Wadsworth 

Longfellow,  651. 

Jewish  Exile,  The.     Leon  Huhner,  513. 
Jewish  Family,  A.     William  Wordsworth,  632. 
Jewish  Hymn  in  Babylon.     Henry  Hart  Mllman,  134. 
Jewish  Lullaby.     Eugene  Field,  719. 

ewish  Martyr,  The.     Moss  Marks,  226. 

ewish  Martyrs,  The.     W.  V.  B.,  662. 

ewish  May,  The.     Morris  Rosenfeld,  577. 

ewish  Mother^  The.     A  Daughter  of  Judah,  638. 

ewish  Mother    and    Her    Sons    before    Antiochus,    The.     R. 

Manahan,  310. 
Jewish  Pilgrim,  The.     Frances  Browne,  515. 

ewish  Soldier,  The.     Alice  Lucas,  567. 

ewish  Soldier,  The.     Alice  Lucas,  689. 

ews.     Anonymous,  538. 

ew's  Appeal  to  the   Christian,  The.     J.   W.  Blencowe,  Jr., 

Jews'  Cemetery    on    the    Lido,    The.     John    Addlngton    Sy- 

monds,  651. 

Jews  in  Russia,  The.     Edward  Doyle,  659. 
Jews  of  Bucharest,  The.     Edward  Sydney   Tybee,  681. 
Jews  of   England,   The    (1290-1902).     Israel   Zangwill,    566. 
Jews  Weeping  in  Jerusalem,  The.     James  Wallls  Eastburn, 

489. 

Job's  Confession.     Edward  Young,  126.         ^ 
Josef  Israels.     Ellas  Lleberman,  748. 
Joseph  Joachim.     Robert  Bridges,  744. 
Joseph  Mayor   Asher.     George   Alexander  Kohut,  747. 
Judaeis  Vita  Aeterna.     Charles  N.  Lurie,  549. 
Judah.     George  R.  Du  Bois,  551. 
Judah's  Hallowed  Bards.     Aubrey  De  Vere,  n. 
Judas  Maccabeus.     Henry  Snowman,  305. 
Judea.     Charles  M.   Wall'ingtnn,  519. 
Julia  Richman.     Helen   Gray  Cone,  759. 

803 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Kaddish,  The.     W.  W.,  387. 

Kalich,   Inheritor  of  Tragedy.     Ripley  D.  Saunders,  643. 

King  David.     George  Peele,  too. 

Kingdom  of  God,  The.     Edward  Buliver  Lytton,  631. 

Kippur.     Rebekah  Hyneman,  291. 

Kishineff   Massacre,  The.     Rose  Strauss,  660. 

Kiss  of  God,  The.     John   White  Chadwick,  79. 

Kol   Nidre.     Joseph  Leiser,  288. 

Kol  Nidre.     M.  Osias,  287. 

Kynge    David,    Hys    Lamente    over    the    Bodyes    of    Kynge 

Saul    of    Israel    and    His    Sonne    Jonathan.    Sir   Philip 

Sidney,  93. 

Lament  for  Jerusalem.     Marion  and  Celia  Moss,  131. 
Lament  of  the   Daughters  of  Zion.     J.  F.,  479. 
Lamentation    of    David    over    Saul    and   Jonathan    His    Son. 

George  Wither,  96. 
Last    Sabbath    Light,    The.      H.    Rosenblatt    (translated    by 

Leak   W.  Leonard},  280. 
Latter  Day,  The.     Thomas  Hastings,  483. 
Legend,  A.     Jehoash   (translated  by  Ellas  Lieberman},  617. 
Legendary  Lights.     Alter  Abelson,  326. 
Lent  Jewels,  The.     Richard  Chenevix  Trench,  189. 
Leo  N.  Levi.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  746. 
Leopold  Zunz.     J.  F.,  732. 
Lessons  of  the  Past.     Harry   Weiss,   627. 
Let  Us  Forget.     K.  M.,  657. 
Lifting   of    Mine    Hands,    The.      Mordecai   Ben   Shabbathai 

(translated  by  Nina  Davis],  447. 

Light  and  Glory  of  the  World,  The.     William  Cowper,  3. 
"Light  in  the  Eyes,  The."     Oscar  Loeb,  581. 
Lights  in  the  Temple.     John  Keble,  72. 
Like  unto  Sharon's  Roses.     Rufus  Lear  si,  639. 
Lines.     Alice  Rhine,  626. 

Lines  for  the  Ninth  of  Ab.     Solomon  Solis  Cohen,  370. 
Lines  on  Carmen  Sylva.     Emma  Lazarus,  684. 
Lines  to  a  Jewish  Child.     C.  D.,  640. 
Lines  to   an   Anti-Semite.     Edward  Sydney    Tybee,   558. 
Little  Jew,  The.     Dinah  Maria  Mulock   Craik,  604. 
Living  God,  The.     Abraham  Ibn  Ezra   (translated  by  Alice 

Lucas},  421. 

Lo!  As  the  Potter  Mouldeth.     Elsie  Davis,  444. 
Loan,  The.     Sabine  Baring-Gould,  190. 
Longing    for    Jerusalem.     Judah    Ha-Levi     (translated    by 

Emma  Lazarus},  481. 

Lord,  Do  Thou   Guide  Me.     Alice  Lucas,  427. 
Lord,  I    Remember.     Mordecai   Ben   Shabbethai    (translated 

by  Nina  Davis},  456. 

804 


INDEX   TO   TITLES 

Lord  Is  My  Portion,  The.     Judah  Ha-Le<vi,  239. 

"Lord  Is  My  Shepherd,  The,  I  Shall  Not  Want."    Re  Henry, 

in. 

Lord,  Thou   Great  Jehovah.     Albert  Frank  Hoffmann,  426. 
Louis  Loeb.     Louis  Marshall,  747. 


Maccabean,  The.     Horace  M.  Kallen,  305. 

Maccabean  Call,  The.     Emil  G.  Hirsch,  306. 

Maccabees,  The.     Miriam  Myers,  307. 

Magic  Words,  The.     Melvin   G.   Winstock,  594. 

"Mai-Ko-Mashma-Lun."      Abraham    Raisin    (translated    by 

Henry  Greenfield],  688. 
Maid  of  Persia.     Harry  Weiss,  335. 
Maid  of  the  Ghetto,  The.     Anonymous,  637. 
Making  of  Man.     Edwin  Arnold,  18. 
Man,  the  Image  of  God.     Penina  Mo'ise,  413. 
Martyrdom.     Rufus  Learsi,  213. 
Martyr's  Death,  A.     Menahem  Ben  Jacob,  226. 
Massacre  of  the  Jews,  The.     R.  A.  Levy,  666. 
Massacre  of    the    Jews    at    York,    The.     Marion    and    Cclia 

Moss,  221. 

Mayer  Sulzberger.     Felix  N.  Gerson,  749. 
Meditations  at  Twilight.     Joseph  Leiser,  711. 
Meeting  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca,  The.     Arthur  Hugh  Clough, 

31- 

Melting  Pot,  The.     Berton  Braley,  573. 

Menorah.     William  Ellery  Leonard,  151. 

Menorah,  The.  Harry  Wolfsohn  (translated  by  H.  B.  Ehr- 
mann), 152. 

Messenger,  The.     O.  B.  Merrill,  179. 

Mezuzah,  The.     Alter  Abelson,  402. 

Miraculous  Oil,  The.     Caroline  Deutsch,  318. 

Miriam.     E.  Dudley  Jackson,  65. 

Miser,  The.    Ben  Zed  (translated  by  Joseph  Chotzner),  768. 

Mizpah.     Anonymous,  36. 

Moabitess,  The.     Phillips  Brooks,  91. 

Mock  On!  Mock  On!     William  Blake,  534. 

Mo'oz  Tsur  Yeshu'osi  (translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen), 
330. 

Moral  of  It,  The.     Samuel  Gordon,  350. 

Mordecai.     Anonymous,  343. 

Mordecai.     Helen  Hunt  Jackson,   344. 

Moritz  Steinschneider.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  732. 

Morning  Invocation.     Solomon  Ihn   Gabirol,  406. 

Morning  Song.  Solomon  Ihn  Gabirol  (translated  by  Alice 
Lucas],  405. 

Morning  Song.     Henry  S.  Jacobs,  404. 

Moses.     John  Stuart  Blackie,  46. 

805 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Moses.     N.  N.,  40. 

Moses  and  Jesus.     Israel  Zangwill,  557. 

Moses  and  the  Angel.     Edwin  Arnold,  74. 

Moses  and  the  Dervish.     Owen  Meredith,  76. 

"Moses  as  Lamp-Bearer."     William  Stigand,  71. 

Moses  in  the  Desert.     James  Montgomery,  50. 

"Moses"  of  Michael  Angelo,  The.     Robert  Browning,  77. 

Moses  on  Mount  Nebo.     I.  Solomon,  77. 

Moses  Mendelssohn.     Miriam  Del  Banco,  645. 

Mount  Sinai.     Horatius  Bonar,  67. 

Mrs.  Ellis  A.  Franklin.     Anonymous,  745. 

My  Father's  Bible.     George  Alexander  Kohut,  734. 

My  Heart   Is   in   the   East.     Judah  Ha-Levi    (translated   by 

H.  Pereira  Mendes},   240. 
My  Heritage.     Cora  Wilburn,  547. 
My  Times  Are  in  Thy  Hands!     Christopher  Newman  Hall, 

1 10. 

Myer  Davis.     Isaac  Lazarowich,  760. 
Mystic  Tie,  The.     Max  Meyerhardt,  546. 

Na-Ha-Moo.     J.  C.  Levy,  136. 

Nature  and  the  Poet.     S.'Frug,  699. 

Nehemiah  to  Artaxerxes.     William  Knox,  140. 

New  Jewish  Hospital  at  Hamburg,  The.  Heinrich  Heine, 
712. 

New  Temple,  The.     Louis  Marshall,  629. 

New  Year.     Florence  Weisberg,  285. 

New  Year — 1905,  5666.     Jacob  Klein,  285. 

New  Year  Hymn.     Joseph  Krauskopf,  435. 

Night  Prayer.     Alice  Lucas,  407. 

Night  Prayer.     Alice  Lucas,  408. 

Night  Prayer.     Florence   Weisberg,  406. 

Nishmas.     Penina  Mo'ise,  409. 

Nishmas.     Florence   Weisberg,  408. 

"No  Man  Knoweth  His  Sepulchre."  William  Cullen  Bry- 
ant, 8 1. 

Not  by  Power.     Mary  M.  Cohen,  625. 

Now  Die  Away  My  Tuneful  Song.     Anonymous,  213. 

O  Israel.     Robert  Loveman,  536. 

O  Long  the  Way.     Morris  Rosenfeld,  575. 

O  Lord,  I  Call  on  Thee.     Abraham  Ibn  Ezra,  425. 

O  Soul,  with  Storms  Beset.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (trans- 
lated by  Alice  Lucas],  242. 

O  Sweet  Anemones!     Jessie  E.  Sampter,  500. 

O  Thou  Eternal  One.  Gabriel  Romanovitch  Derzhavin 
(translated  by  Sir  John  Bowring],  15. 

Ode  on   Chazanuth.     Nina  Davis,  389. 

806 


INDEX    TO    TITLES 

Ode  to  the  Sacred  Lamps.     M.  L.  R.  Breslar,  160. 

Ode  to  the  Statue  of  Moses.     Anonymous,  84. 

Ode  to  Zion.     Judah  Ha-Levi   (translated  by  Nina  Davis], 

374- 
Ode  to  Zion.     Judah  Ha-Levi   (translated  by  Alice  Lucas], 

37*- 

Oh!  City  of  the  World.  Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by 
Kate  Magnus] ,  238. 

Oh!  Weep  for  Those.     Lord  Byron,  135. 

Old  Book,  The.     Abram  S.  Isaacs,  7. 

Omer,  The.     M.  M.,  361. 

On!     George  Benedict,  463. 

On  Attempting  to  Convert  the  Jews  to  Christianity.  Anony- 
mous, 694. 

On  the  Day  of  the  Destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  Titus. 
Lord  Byron,  157. 

On  the  Grave  of  Michael  Gordon.     S.  Frug,  700. 

On  the  Massacre.     Chayim  Nachman  Byalik,  660. 

On  the  Picture  of  the  Finding  of  Moses  by  Pharaoh's  Daugh- 
ter. Charles  and  Mary  Lamb,  48. 

On  the  Russian  Persecution  of  the  Jews.  Algernon  Charles 
Swinburne,  659. 

On  to  the  East.  Naphtali  Herz  Imber  (translated  by  Re- 
becca A.  Altman),  498. 

On  to  the  Promised  Land.     Rujus  Learsi,  471. 

On  Translating  the  Psalms.     Sampson  Guideon,  Jr.,  12. 

On  Viewing  a  Statue  of  David.     Eva  Gore-Booth,  108. 

Only  a  Jew.     Anonymous,  607. 

"Only  a  Jew."     P.  H.,  560. 

Only  a  Jew.     David  Banks  Sickles,  599. 

Onward.     J.  M.  Manicoff,  462. 

Optimism.     /.  Z.  Josephson,  721. 

Oriental   Maiden,  An.     J.  0.  Jenkyns,  637. 

Orientale.     William  Henley,  636. 

Oscar  Cohen.     H.  B.   Gayfer,  745. 

Our  Creed.     J.  Leonard  Levy,  395. 

Our  Heritage.     Isidore  G.  Ascher,  623. 

Our  Password.     Isidore   G.  Ascher,   599. 

Out  of  Egypt.     Dorothea  De  Pass,  54. 

Out  of  the    Depths.     Joseph   Jasin,   702. 

Outgoing  of  Sabbath,  The.    Alter  Abelson,  279. 

Palms    and    Myrtles.     Eleazar   Kalir    (translated   by   Alice 

Lucas,  296. 

Paraphrase  of  Adon  Olam.     David  Nunes  Carvalho,  392. 
Passage  of  the  Red  Sea.     Anonymous,  59. 
Passage  of  the    Red    Sea.     Reginald   Heber,    56. 
Passage  of  the   Red   Sea,   The.     Henry   Hart  Milman,   58. 
Passing   of   Rabbi    Assi,    The.     Edicin   Pond   Parker,    186. 

807 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Passover.     Abram  S.  Isaacs,  354. 

Passover.     Deborah  Kleinert  Janowitz,  355. 

Passover,  The.     R.  E.  S.,  52. 

Passover  Hymn  from  the%  Haggada,  A.     /.  F.,  355. 

Patriotism.     Translated  by  Robert  Needham   Cust,  720. 

Peace — and  Honor.     Herman  C.  Merivale,  730. 

Pentecost.     Annette  Kohn,  366. 

People  of  Zion.     Marie  Harrold  Garrison,  543. 

Persecuted  Jew,  The.     Stephen  Taylor  Denkins,  663. 

Pesach  Le'Osid.     Anonymous,  360. 

Phedre.     Oscar  Wilde,  749. 

Pillow  and  Stone.     Abram  S.  Isaacs,  33. 

Poetry.     Louis   Untermeyer,  622. 

Poets  of  Old  Israel.     John  Vance  Cheney,  12. 

Poet's  Soul,  The.     Anonymous,  99. 

Poet's  Spirit,  The.     Joseph  Fitzpatrick,  508. 

Prayer.     Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol,  420. 

Prayer,  A.     V.   H.  Friedlander,  418. 

Prayer,  A.     Alice  Lucas,  417. 

Prayer  for     the     Day     of    Atonement.     George    Alexander 

Kohut,  293. 
Prayer  of  Solomon  at  the  Consecration  of  the  Temple,  The. 

Rebekah  Hyncman,  112. 
Prayer  of  the  High  Priest,  The.     Marie  Harrold  Garrison, 

155- 
Pride  of  a  Jew,  The.     Judah  Ha-Levl  (translated  by  Israel 

Cohen},  239. 
Princess  Sabbath.     Heinrich  Heine   (translated  by  Margaret 

Armour],  253. 

Promised   Land,  The.     Jessie  E.  Sampter,  474. 
Psalm  VII.     Alfred  S.  Schiller-Szinessy,  109. 
Psalm  CXIV.    Myrtilla  E.  Mitchell,  55. 
Psalm  CXXVI.    I.  R.  B.,  504. 
Puissance  of  the  Jew.     C.  W,  Wynne,  533. 
Purim.     Label,  337. 
Purim.     C.  David  Matt,  345. 
Purim.     Myrtilla  E.  Mitchell,  340. 
Purim,  1900.     Alice  D.  Braham,  348. 
Purim  Poem,  A.     Isabella  R.  Hess,  334. 
Purim  Retrospect,  A.     W.  S.  Howard,  346. 

Rabbi  Ben  Ezra.     Robert  Browning,  615. 
Rabbi  Ben  Hissar.     Anonymous,  177. 
Rabbi's  Present,  The.     Anonymous,  767. 
Rabbi's  Song,  The.     Rudyard  Kipling,  617. 
Rabbi's  Vision,  The.     Frances  Browne,  195. 
Rachel.     Anonymous,  642. 
Rachel.     Matthew  Arnold,  640. 
Rainbow,  The.    Felicia  Hemans,  22. 

808 


INDEX   TO   TITLES 


Rainbow,  The.     Henry  Vaughan,  22. 

Rallying  Song.     Jessie  E.  Sampler,  497. 

Rebecca,  the  Jewess.     Clark  B.  Cochrane,  634. 

Rebecca's  Hymn.     Sir  Walter  Scott,  631. 

Recognition.     Miriam    Teichner,  601. 

Redemption.     Anonymous,  492. 

Repent  One  Day  before  Thy  Death.     Rabbi  Eleazar,  209. 

Rescue  of  Moses.     Anonymous,  42. 

Restoration   of   Israel,   The.     James  Montgomery,  485. 

Return,  The.     R.  E.  L,  471. 

Return  from  Captivity,  The.     Marion  and  Celia  Moss,  139. 

Right  of  Asylum,  The.     Stephen  Phillips,  567. 

Rodef  Shalom.     W.  G.  Skillman,  628. 

Rose  of  Sharon,  The.     Abram  S.  Isaacs,  118. 

Rose  of  Sharon,  The.     Harry  Weiss,  713. 

Rosh-Hashanah.     Joseph  K.  Foran,  284. 

Royal  Crown,  The.     Israel  Abrahams,  434. 

Royal  Crown,  The.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (translated  by 
Rebecca  A.  Altman),  435. 

Rude  Are  the  Tabernacles   Now.     Anonymous,  415. 

Ruler  of  the  Nations,  The.     John  Keble,  129. 

Russia  and  the  Jews.     Punch,  660. 

Russian  Jewish  Rabbi,  The.  Translated  by  Herman  Bern- 
stein, 685. 

Ruth.     Felicia  Hemans,  90. 

Ruth.     Thomas  Hood,  88. 

Ruth.     H.  Hyman,  90. 

Ruth  and  Naomi.     Lowell  Courier,  91. 

Ruth  and  Naomi.     William  Oliver  Bourn  Peabody,  89. 

Sabbath.     Alter  Abelson,  271. 

Sabbath,  The.     Nina  Davis,  270. 

Sabbath  Day,    The — Kiddush    and    Habdalah.     Anonymous, 

278. 
Sabbath  Eve,  The.     Samuel  Augustus   Willoughby  Duffield, 

267. 

Sabbath  Hymn.     Solomon  Alkabiz,  265. 
Sabbath  Hymn.     Aaron  Cohen,  270. 
Sabbath  Lamp,  The.     Grace  Aguilar,  258. 
Sabbath  of  Rest,  A.     Attributed  to  Isaac  Luria   (translated 

by  Nina  Davis},  275. 
Sabbath  Thoughts.     Grace  Aguilar,  273. 
Sacred  Lyric.     Isidore  G.  Ascher,  418. 
Samson.     John  Milton,  88. 
Sand  and  Stars.     S.  Frug,  700. 
Sandalphon.     Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow,  207. 
Sea  of  the  Talmud,  The.     Joseph  Leiser,  163. 
Search  for  Leaven,  The.     Alter  Abelson,  349. 
Seder,  The.    J.  F.,  352. 

809 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 

Seder-Night.     Israel  Zangwill,  353. 

Seeing  Eye,  The.     Reginald  Heber,  15. 

Selichoth.     Alter  Abelson,  280. 

Sentinel  of  the  Ages,  The.     Ibbie  McColm  Wilson,  523. 

Separation.     Judah  Ha-Levi,  240. 

Servant  of  God.  Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by  Israel 
Zangwill),  436. 

Sfere.     Morris  Rosenfeld,  361. 

Shema  Yisrael  Adonay-Elohainu  Adonay-Echod.  Ibbie  Mc- 
Colm Wilson,  595. 

Shema-Yisroel-Adonai-Elohenu-Adonai-Echod.  Nathan  Bern- 
stein, 548. 

Shofar  Echoes.     Annette  Kohn,  286. 

Shoshanah,   The.     George  E.    Chodoivsky,  469. 

Side  by  Side.     Isabella  R.  Hess,  706. 

Simchas  Torah.     J,  L.  Gordon,  301. 

Simchas  Torah.     C.  David  Matt,  303. 

Simchas  Torah.     Morris  Rosenfeld,  300. 

Simeon   Singer.     John  Chapman,  733. 

Simon  Wolf.     Felix  N.  Gerson,  760. 

Since  We  Be  Standing.  Ephraim  Ben  Isaac  (translated  by 
Nina  Davis} ,  449. 

Sing  unto  God  a  New  Song.     Eugene  Kohn,  503. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore.     Ambrose  Bierce,  724. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore.     E.   Yancey   Cohen,  722. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore.     Miriam  Del  Banco,  723. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore.     Louis  Meyerhardt,  724. 

Sir  Moses  Montefiore.     Punch,  723. 

Slaughter  of  the  Jews,  The.     A.  J.   Waterhouse,  673. 

Sleep.     Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning,  109. 

Solomon  and  the  Bees.     John  Godfrey  Saxe,  114. 

Solomon  Schechter.     Alter  Abelson,  736. 

Solomon's  Song.     Regina  Miriam  Block,  117. 

Song  at  the  Red  Sea.     George  Lansing  Taylor,  62. 

Song  for  Friday  Night.     Isidore  Myers,  261. 

Song  of  David,  The.     Christopher  Sharp,  98. 

Song  of  Israel,  A.     J.  H.   Cuthbert,  541. 

Song  of  Israel  to  God.  Judah  Ha-Levi  (translated  by 
Alice  Lucas},  405. 

Song  of  Judas  Maccabeus  before  the  Battle  of  Maspha.  Re- 
bekah  Hyneman,  317. 

Song  of  Life,  A.  Abraham  Ibn  Ezra  (translated  by  E.  N. 
A.},  422. 

Song  of  Miriam,  The.     Anonymous,  60. 

Song  of  Redemption,  A.  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  (translated 
by  Nina  Davis),  229. 

Song  of  Saul  before  His  Last  Battle.     Lord  Byron,  92. 

Song  of  the  Dew.     Translated  by  Solomon  Solis  Cohen,  428, 

Song  of  the  Jewish  Captives.     Henry  Neile,  132. 

810 


INDEX   TO   AUTHORS 


BROOME,  WILLIAM,  122. 

BROWNE,  E.  C.  L.,  707. 

BROWNE,   FRANCES,   198,   517. 

BROWNING,  ELIZABETH  BAR- 
RETT, 109. 

BROWNING,  ROBERT,  77,  176, 
614,  616. 

BRYANT,  WILLIAM  CULLEN, 
81. 

BURGON,  J.  W.,  67. 

BYALIK,  CHAYIM  NACHMAN, 
661,  662. 

BYRON,  LORD,  86,  92,  128, 
136.  137,  !39>  J44>  H6, 
157- 

C.   D.,   640. 

CALDERON,  14. 

CARSON,  HERBERT  N.,  497. 

CARVALHO,      DAVID      NUNES, 

392. 

CHADWICK,  JOHN  WHITE,  80. 
CHAPMAN,  JOHN,  734. 
CHENEY,  JOHN  VANCE,  12. 
CHODOWSKY,  GEORGE,  470. 
CLOUGH,  ARTHUR  HUGH,  32. 
COATES,      FLORENCE     EARLE, 

656. 

COCHRANE,  CLARK  B.,  634. 
COHEN,  AARON,  270. 
COHEN,  E.  YANCEY,  340,  723. 
COHEN,    EMILY    SOLIS-,    JR., 

358. 

COHEN,  HENRY,  743. 
COHEN,  ISRAEL,  665. 
COHEN,  LAWRENCE,  486. 
COHEN,  MARY  M.,  626. 
COHEN,  SOLOMON  SOLIS,  371, 

758. 

COLERIDGE,  HARTLEY,  31. 
COLLINS,  ROSE  EMMA,  297. 
CONE,     HELEN     GRAY,     574, 

741,   760. 

COSGRAVE,  JOHN  PAUL,  583. 
COURIER,  LOWELL,  92. 
COWLEY,  ABRAHAM,  52. 
COWPER,  WILLIAM,  4,  98. 
CRAIK,    DINAH    MARIA    Mu- 

LOCK,  607. 


CROLY,  GEORGE,  200, 

CROSS,  ALLAN  EASTMAN,  741. 

CUTHBERT,  B.  H.,  542. 

DARMESTETER,  MARY,  651. 
DAUGHTER  OF  JUDAH,  A,  638. 
DAVID  BEN  MESHULLAM,  216. 
DAVIDSON,  LUCRETIA,  96. 
DAVIESON,  EVE,  545. 
DAVIS,  ALLAN,  636. 
DAVIS,  ELSIE,  445. 
DAVIS,  NINA,  149,  270,  389. 
DAVIS,  NOAH,  725. 
DEARNESS,      WILLIAM,      169, 

317- 

DEBREST,  HAROLD,  325. 
DEKINS,     STEPHEN     TAYLOR, 

663. 
DEL    BANCO,    MIRIAM,    269, 

647,  692,  723. 
DE  PASS,  DOROTHEA,  55. 
DERZHAVIN,      GABRIEL      Ro- 

MANOVITCH,     15. 

DE  SOLA,  D.  A.,  390. 

DEUTSCH,   CAROLINE,  319. 

DE  VERB,  AUBREY,  n. 

DINVVIDDIE,  ELIZABETH  Mc- 
MURTRIE,  597. 

DOYLE,  EDWARD,  659. 

DRYDEN,  JOHN,  10. 

Du  Bois,  GEORGE  R.,   551. 

DUFFIELD,  SAMUEL  AUGUS- 
TUS WlLLOUGHBY,  268. 

EASTBURN,     JAMES     WALLIS, 

490. 

ELEAZAR,  214. 
ELEAZAR,  RABBI,  209. 
ELIOT,  GEORGE,  539. 
EPHRAIM  BEN  ISAAC,  451. 
EZRA  BEN  TANHUM,  219. 

FEDERLEICHT,  Louis,  467,  479. 
FIELD,  ANNE  P.  L.,  758. 
FIELD,  EUGENE,  720. 
FIREMAN,   MARGARET,  329. 
FITZPATRICK,  JOSEPH,   508. 
FORAN,  JOSEPH  K.,  285. 
FRANK,  FLORENCE  KIPER,  557. 


815 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


FRANKL,     LUDWIG     AUGUST, 

518. 

FRIEDLANDER,  H.  B.,  282. 
FRIEDLANDER,  V.  H.,  418. 
FRUG,  S.,  1 66,  697,  699,  700, 

701,  704. 

G.  M.  H.,  181. 

GABIROL,  SOLOMON  IBN,  230, 

241,    242,    243,    405,    406, 

420,    429,    436,    447,    771, 

772. 
GARRISON,    MARIE    HARROLD, 

156,   543,  602. 
GAYFER,  H.  B.,  745. 
GERSON,  CECILIA  G.,  330. 
GERSON,    FELIX    N.,    8,    506, 

572,  750,  761- 
GILDER,     RICHARD     WATSON, 

738. 
GOLDSMITH,     MILTON,      555, 

560. 

GOLLANCZ,  ISRAEL,  395. 
GORDON,  J.  L.,  303. 
GORDON,  LEON,  766. 
GORDON,  SAMUEL,  352. 
GORE-BOOTH,   EVA,   108. 
GOSSE,  EDMUND,  30. 
GOTTHEIL,  GUSTAV,  272,  294, 

506. 

GRANT,  SIR  ROBERT,  5. 
GRUENSTEIN,  BERNARD,  758. 
GUIDEON,  SAMPSON,  JR.,  13. 
GUITERMAN,  ARTHUR,  666. 
GUMPERT,     CHARLES     LEON, 

533- 
GUYON,  MADAME,  17. 

HADASSAH.  See  Hess,  Isa- 
bella R. 

HALL,  CHRISTOPHER  NEW- 
MAN, in. 

HARRIS,  EMILY  MARION,  728. 

HARTOG,  MARION,  328. 

HASTINGS,  THOMAS,  483. 

HAWKER,    ROBERT    STEPHEN, 

95- 
HAY,  JOHN,  38. 


HEATH,  JOHN,  767. 

HEBER,  REGINALD,  15,   57. 

HEINE,  HEINRICH,  236,  258, 
713,  766. 

HEMANS,  FELICIA,  22,  91. 

HENLEY,  WILLIAM,  636.        s 

HENRY,  RE,  112,  726. 

HERRICK,  ROBERT,  209. 

HERVEY,   JOHN   KEBBLE,   478. 

HESS,  ISABELLA  R.  [HADAS- 
SAH], 70,  335,  378,  707. 

HEYLYN,  PETER,  10. 

HILLEL  BEN  JACOB,  217. 

HIRSCH,  EMIL  G.,  -307. 

HIRSCH,   S.  R.,  488. 

HODSON,  WILLIAM,  533. 

HOFFMANN,  ALBERT  FRANK, 
127,  427,  756. 

HOLLAND,   GEORGE  JAY,   155. 

HOOD,  THOMAS,  89. 

HOPKINS,   RUFUS   C.,   590. 

HOWARD,  W.  S.,  348. 

HUEBSCH,  ADOLPH,  321. 

HUHNER,  LEON,  515. 

HURT,  WILLIAM,  752. 

HYMAN,  H.,  90. 

HYNEMAN,  REBEKAH,  113, 
292,  318,  627. 

I.  N.  L.,   562. 

I.  R.  B.,  505. 

IBN    EZRA,    ABRAHAM,    420, 

421,  422,  423,  426. 
IMBER,  NAPHTALI  HERZ,  460, 

461,  499. 
IMMANUEL  BEN  SOLOMON  OF 

ROME,  248,  776. 
ISAACS,  ABRAM  S.,  7,  33,  102, 

119,  177,  354. 

J.  F.,  201,  353,  355,  480,  732. 
JACKSON,  E.  DUDLEY,   67. 
JACKSON,  HELEN  HUNT,  333, 

337,  345- 

JACOBS,  HENRY  S.,  404. 
JACOBSON,  JANIE,   321. 
JANOWITZ,    DEBORAH   KLEIN- 

ERT,  356. 
JASIN,  JOSEPH,  703. 


816 


INDEX   TO   AUTHORS 


JEHOASH,  87,  103,  617. 

JENKINS,  CANON,  676,  722. 

JENKYNS,  J.  O.,  637. 

JOHNSON,  ROBERT  UNDER- 
WOOD, 655. 

JOSE  BEN  JOSE,  444. 

JOSEPHSON,   I.  Z.,  721. 

JUDAH  HA-LEVI,  237,  238, 
239,  240,  357,  374,  377, 
406,  425,  438,  465,  481. 

JUDAH   HE-HASID,   383. 

K.  M.,  657. 

KALIR,  ELEAZAR,  296. 

KALLEN,    HORACE    M.,    305, 

701. 

KALONYMUS  BEN  JUDAH,  220. 
KEBLE,  JOHN,  73,  129. 
KELLY,  THOMAS,  493. 
KIPLING,  RUDYARD,  618. 
KLEIN,  JACOB,  286. 
KNOX,  WILLIAM,  40,  93,  141. 
KOHAN,  C.  M.,  658. 
KOHN,  ANNETTE,  287,  369. 
KOHN,  EUGENE,  502,  503. 
KOHUT,   GEORGE   ALEXANDER, 

150,    170,    293,    650,    733, 

734,  735,  736,  746,  747,  7<>i, 

762. 
KRAUSKOPF,  JOSEPH,  435. 

LABEL,  338. 

LAMB,    CHARLES   AND   MARY, 

50. 

LAZAROWICH,  ISAAC,  760. 
LAZARUS,    EMMA,    310,    320, 

513,    615,    671,    676,    684, 

685,  718. 
LEARSI,  RUFUS,  214,  472,  572, 

639,   640. 

LEAVITT,  EZEKIEL,  716,  719. 
LEISER,  JOSEPH,  165,  273,  291, 

299,  364,  365,  505,  712. 
LEONARD,    WILLIAM    ELLERY, 

»53- 

LETO,  604. 

LEVETUS,  E.  L.,  328. 
LEVI,  DAVID,  3,  159,  523. 
LEVITUS,  MRS.,  185. 


LEVY,  MRS.  A.  R.,  175. 
LEVY,  DAVID,  410,  417. 
LEVY,  J.   C.,   136. 
LEVY,  J.  LEONARD,   123,  396. 
LEVY,   R.  A.,  668. 
LEWISOHN,  LUDWIG,  650. 

LlEBERMAN,    ELIAS,     669,     748. 

LOEB,  OSCAR,   582. 

LONG,  SOLOMON  L.,  487. 

LONGFELLOW,  HENRY  WADS- 
WORTH,  108,  120,  208,  653. 

LOVEMAN,   ROBERT,  537. 

LOVEMAN,  SAMUEL  E.,  596. 

LOWELL,  JAMES  RUSSELL,  173. 

LUCAS,  ALICE,  167,  171,  172, 
277,  402,  407,  408,  415, 
417,  427,  438,  568,  690, 
709. 

LURIA,  ISAAC,  276. 

LURIE,   CHARLES   N.,   549. 

LYTTON,  EDWARD  BULWER, 
631. 

M.  B.  S.,  473. 

M.   M.,    122,   266,    298,   324, 

361,  419. 

MCCABE,  JOHN  J.,  569. 
MANAHAN,  R.,  313. 
MANICOFF,  J.  M.,  463. 
MARKHAM,  EDWIN,  656. 
MARKS,  Moss,  229. 
MARSHALL,  Louis,  630,  747. 
MASSEL,  JOSEPH,  721. 
MATT,  C.  DAVID,  304,  346. 

MEIR    OF    ROTHENBERG,   434. 

MENAHEM  BEN  JACOB,  215, 
226. 

MENDES,  H.  PEREIRA,  138. 

MEREDITH,  OWEN,  77. 

MERIVALE,   HERMAN  C.,  731. 

MERRILL,  O.  B.,  180. 

MESHULLAM  BEN  KALONY- 
MUS, 456. 

MEW,  JAMES,  124,  744. 

MEYERHARDT,  Louis,  724. 

MEYERHARDT,  MAX,  366,  547, 
566. 

MILLER,  JOAQUIN,  536,  635, 
672. 


STANDARD  BOOK  OF  JEWISH  VERSE 


MILMAN,    HENRY   HART,    59, 

135- 
MILNES,  RICHARD  MONCKTON 

(LORD  HOUGHTON),  25. 
MILTON,  JOHN,  20,  88. 
MITCHELL,  MYRTILLA  E.,  56, 

343- 
MOISE,     PENINA,     283,     409, 

414. 
MONTGOMERY,  JAMES,  51,485, 

521. 
MOORE,  THOMAS,  62,  80,  124, 

482. 
MORDECAI   BEN    SHABBETHAI, 

449,  456. 

MORPURGO,  RACHEL,  249. 
MORRIS,  IDA  GOLDSMITH,  531, 

624,  753- 
Moss,    MARION    AND    CELIA, 

J31,  !33,  139,  225. 
MYERS,  HARRY,  508. 
MYERS,  ISIDORE,  122,  262,  323. 
MYERS,  MIRIAM,   308. 

N.   N.,  42. 

NAGARA,   ISRAEL,   274. 
NANZIANZEN,  GREGORY,  14. 
NATHAN,  RAY  TRUM,  715. 
NEILE,  HENRY,  132. 
NICOLL,   ROBERT,   8. 
NORDAU,  MAX,  765. 
NUSSBAUM,    JOHN     D.,    205, 
492. 

OPPENHEIM,  JAMES,  593. 
OSIAS,  M.,  288,  545. 

P.  C.  L.,  466. 
P.  H.,  561. 
PALMER,  PHOEBE,  4. 
PALQUERA,  BEN  JOSEPH,  768. 
PARKER,  EDWIN  POND,  189. 
PEABODY,     WILLIAM     OLIVER 

BOURN,  90. 
PEELE,   GEORGE,   101. 
PEREZ,  ISAAC  LEIB,  625. 
PESSELS,  C.,  489. 
PHILLIPS,  STEPHEN,   567. 


PLUMPTRE,  E.  H.,  218. 
PROCTOR,      BRYAN      WALLER 

(BARRY  CORNWALL),  142. 
PROCTOR,  EDNA  DEAN,  753. 
PUNCH,  660,  681,  724,  730. 

R.  E.  L,  471. 
R.  E.  S.,  54,  126. 
RAGG,   THOMAS,  491. 
RAISIN,  ABRAHAM,  688. 
RANDALL,  LUCY  A.,  23. 
RASKIN,  P.  M.,  326,  360,  706. 
REESE,  LIZETTE  WORDSWORTH, 

39- 

RHINE,  ALICE,   627. 

ROBINSON,     CORINNE    ROOSE- 
VELT, 759. 

ROSENBLATT,    H.,   280. 

ROSENFELD,    MORRIS,    301,    362, 

504,  575,   577,  581. 
ROTH,  SAMUEL,  473,  474,  528. 
RUSKIN,  JOHN,  58. 
RYAN,   CARROLL,  496. 

S.  D.,  33- 

SAINT    SWITHAINE,    SWITHIN, 

18. 
SAMPTER,  JESSIE  E.,  394,  475, 

481,  497,   SOL 
SAMUEL     BEN     KALONYMUS, 

381. 
SANTOB  DE  CARRION,  244,  247, 

250,  766. 
SAXE,    JOHN    GODFREY,    115, 

195. 

SAUNDERS,  RIPLEY  D.,  644. 
SAVAGE,  MINOT  JUDSON,  742. 
SCHAFFER,  AARON,  404. 
SCHILLER-SZINESSY,     ARTHUR 

S.,   no. 

SCHNITTKIND,  HENRY,  500. 
SCHWED,  HERMINE,  672. 
SCOLLARD,  CLINTON,  159. 
SCOTT,  SIR  WALTER,  632. 
SCUDDER,  ELIZA,  17. 
SHARP,  CHRISTOPHER,  99. 
SHELLEY,  PERCY  BYSSHE,  538. 
SHIPTON,  ANNA,  72. 
SICKLES,  DAVID  BANKS,  600. 


818 


INDEX   TO   AUTHORS 


SIDNEY,  SIR  PHILIP,  95. 
SIGOURNEY,  LYDIA  HUNTLEY, 
21. 

SlLLMAN,    K.    L.,    498. 

SILVERMAN,  DOROTHY  S.,  616. 
SKILLMAN,  Louis,  629. 
SMIRNOW,  L.,  494. 
SMITH,      ELIZABETH     OAKES 

(PRINCE),   139. 
SNOWMAN,  HENRY,  305. 
SOLIS  COHEN.     See  Cohen. 
SOLOMON,  L,  79. 
SOMMER,  HENRY  B.,  530. 
SPIELVOGEL,  NATHAN  F.,  594. 
STEIN,  LEOPOLD,  203. 
STERN,  Louis,  333. 
STERN,  SARA  MESSING,  585. 
STIGAND,  WILLIAM,  71. 
STRAUS,    IDA    (MRS.    ISIDOR), 

678. 

STRAUSS,  ROSE,  660,  694. 
SUHLER,  MIRIAM,  101. 
SULLAM,  SARA  COPIA,  249. 
SUSSKIND  VON  TRIMBERG,  248. 
SWAIN,  CHARLES,  30. 
SWINBURNE,       ALGERNON 

CHARLES,  659. 
SYMONDS,    JOHN    ADDINGTON, 

651. 

TABB,  JOHN  B.,  34. 
TAYLOR,  GEORGE  LANSING,  62. 
TEICHNER,  MIRIAM,  601. 
TENNYSON,  ALFRED,  130,  155. 
THOMPSON,  JAMES  MAURICE, 

743- 

TOB  ELEM,  JOSEPH  BAR  SAM- 
UEL, 370. 

TOWNSEND,  GEORGE  ALFRED, 
530. 

TRENCH,  RICHARD  CHENEVIX, 
190. 

TYBEE,  EDWARD  SYDNEY,  559, 
682. 

UIMANN,  ALBERT,  635. 
UNTERMEYER,  Louis,  622. 


UPTON,  ARTHUR,  715. 
USHER,  B.  B.,  654. 

VAUGHAN,  HENRY,  22. 
VERNON  -  EPSTEIN,     WALTER, 

469. 
VIERECK,   GEORGE  SYLVESTER, 

648. 

W.  V.  B.,  662. 

W.  W.,  388. 

WAGNER,  RICHARD,   630. 

WALLINGTON,     CHARLES    M., 

5*9- 

WATERHOUSE,  A.  J.,   674. 
WATERS,  ADELAIDE  G.,  186. 
WEISBERG,      FLORENCE,     285, 

335,   407,   408,    708. 
WEISS,  HARRY,  336,  411,  540, 

628,  715,  755- 
•WHITTIER,  JOHN  GREENLEAF, 

184. 
WILBURN,    CORA,    295,    548, 

711. 

WILDE,  OSCAR,  749. 
WILLIS,  JAMES,  485. 
WILLIS,  NATHANIEL  PARKER, 

105. 
WILSON,  IBBIE  MCCOLM,  527, 

596. 

WILTON,  RICHARD,  142. 
WINSTOCK,   MELVIN   G.,   595. 
WISE,  ISIDOR,   619. 
WITHER,  GEORGE,   65,  97. 
WOLFSOHN,  HARRY,  154,  517, 

539- 

WORDSWORTH,  WILLIAM,  633. 
WYNNE,  C.  WT,  533- 

X.,    553- 

YOUNG,  EDWARD,  126. 

ZANGWILL,  ISRAEL,  74,  299, 
354,  39i,  397,  507,  557, 
564,  566. 


819 


INDEX  TO  TRANSLATORS 


ABRAHAMS,  ISRAEL,  274,  771. 

See  also  I.  A. 
ADLER,  ELKAN  NATHAN.   See 

E.  N.  A. 
ALTMAN,    REBECCA    A.,    436, 

499. 
ARMOUR,  MARGARET,  236,  258. 

BERNSTEIN,  HERMAN,  687. 
BLACKWELL,     ALICE     STONE, 

166,  697,  716,  719. 
BLAU,  JOEL,  277. 
BOWRING,  SIR  JOHN,  15. 
BRODY,  ALTER,  87,  103. 

CHATFIELD,  ALLEN  W.,  14. 
CHOTZNER,  JOSEPH,  768,  772. 
COHEN,   HENRY,  518. 
COHEN,  ISRAEL,  239. 
COHEN,   SOLOMON  SOLIS,  242, 

331,  428,  439,  776. 
CUST,  ROBERT  NEEDHAM,  720. 

D.  E.  DE  L.,  421. 

DAVIS,   NINA,  230,  276,  370, 

377,    434,    449,    45*,    453, 
456. 

E.  N.    A.    [ELKIN    NATHAN 
ADLER  ( ?)],  423. 

EHRMANN,   H.   B.,   154,    539. 
ETTELSON,  HARRY  W.,  768. 


GOODMAN,  HENRY,  625. 
GREENFIELD,  HENRY,   688. 

I.  A.  [ISRAEL  ABRA- 
HAMS (?)],  241,  385,  772. 

J.  P.,  765- 

JASIN,  JOSEPH,  704. 

KALLEN,  HORACE  M.,  517. 
KOHUT,   GEORGE  ALEXANDER, 
278,   506. 

LAZARUS,   EMMA,  481. 
LEONARD,  LEAH  W.,  280. 

LlEBERMAN,    ELIAS,    617. 

LUCAS,  ALICE,  243,  296,  357, 
374,  381,  387,  405,  406, 
412,  422,  425,  443,  447. 

MAGNUS,  KATE,  238. 
MENDES,  H.  PEREIRA,  240. 
MYERS,  ISIDORE,  504. 

SIMON,  M.,  238. 
SNOWMAN,  HENRY,  460. 
SOLIS  COHEN,  SOLOMON.    See 
Cohen,    Solomon    Solis. 

ZANGWILL,  ISRAEL,  383,  438, 
442,  454,  456,  461. 


820 


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